The ACN Match Review: Portsmouth (h)

How did we play?

We started so timidly and Portsmouth showed us what being assured was all about. They didn’t particularly threaten us in the first half but made sure they didn’t give the ball away too often and we were doing a lot of chasing. Our passes weren’t coming off, players looked like they didn’t know whether to press, hold, attack or much else until our substitutions made a difference.

What was the best bit of the game?

A switch to a 4-4-2 in the last 20 minutes showed some promise; Maghoma, Yongwa, Mahovo and Kvistgaarden coming on to inject some much needed skill and energy and but for some good saves, better shot selection and the woodwork, we might have been rewarded. A tighter midfield formation enabled our better ball players to cause some problems and took pressure off a ridiculously overworked Mattsson but it was all too late as Portsmouth knew they just had to hang on to their penalty to get all they needed.

What was the worst bit of the game?

The penalty concession was such poor timing and, whether it was deserved or not, deflated any hope of getting a decent start to the second half. We hadn’t played well but were still in the game. The ball should have been lumped out of the area and out of danger, but we insisted on trying to find space with it and the referee wasted no time in blowing his whistle once Wright had swung at the ball and somehow connected with a Portsmouth player.

What was the atmosphere like?

It started with a heartwarming tribute to Michael Wynn Jones and kudos to both clubs and supporters for getting behind it. From kick off, Portsmouth fans treated this like a home game, capitalising on our embarrassingly quiet support. They were great, an example of simply getting behind your team no matter what. And here we find ourselves, once again, in the eternal doom-loop: we expect the players to get us going, they need us to get them going, the opposition think ’’thanks very much’’, and Carrow Road becomes an easy place to win points away from home. We can’t carry on like this.

Hero of the match

How nice to see Lucien Mahovo back on the pitch. He has an air of class about him that needs to be nurtured in a supportive environment that treasures its young players. He made a big difference when coming on; let’s hope he gets a good run of games and the backing he deserves.

Summary in 5 words

I still have some hope?