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Skill levels let side down in poor first half

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ROCHDALE’S skill levels let them down in a disappointing first half at Fratton Park.

Manager Brian Barry-murphy said he couldn’t fault the commitment and effort, but keeping possession proved difficult with a number of passes going astray.

“There’s natural disappointment amongst the lads and ourselves about how we played in the first half - I thought we could have done much better,” said BBM.

“Our intensity and effort was fine but our skill levels were quite poor. We didn’t keep the ball for long periods and, as such, we looked pretty vulnerable to Portsmouth when they attacked. We saw the difference in the second half when we kept the ball much better and controlled the game.

“There’s a little bit of regret there, but we’re very focused on how well we pushed right until the end. We obviously scored a goal which was a little bit too late but if we can reproduce that on Monday then I’m sure we can do well.

“Portsmouth have a pretty high, aggressive press. But we expected that and planned for it. We put ourselves in good positions to play the way we wanted to play – we just didn’t execute the skills quite right.

“Our main attacks in the first half were from counter attacks ourselves and we gave ourselves a lot of defending to do, which wasn’t the plan. We had a much better rhythm in the second half, controlled the game and were the dominant force, though obviously the scoreline can dictate that a little bit. We pushed right to the very end and the lads commintment and effort was very good – we just want to produce that level of performance over the whole game.

“We have to show key signs of how we’re going to play and keep fighting right to the very end this season.

“There are no concerns for us about how long we have left, we’re really focused on how we can play.

“We were a little bit disappointed with the uphill task we gave ourselves in the first half but the players who were fit and available gave everything and that’s all we can ask.

“The lads have been putting it in over the last couple of weeks and results have been very good – Friday we didn’t get the result the wanted but we’re pretty sure we can put that right.”

Jake Beesley netted in stoppage time to halve the deficit, after Pompey had opened up a two goal lead in the first half.

“It [Beesley’s goal] is the type of move that the lads have been practicing a lot in terms of getting into the wider areas of the pitch and producing that the type of cross. Jake’s movement is very good,” said BBM.

“Like I said, our level of performance in the first half just didn’t replicate that.

“On certain days when we don’t play well we have to try as hard to get better at that but it was a great goal and testament to the effort the lads put in.

“We’re very focused on what we need to do and the lads know how to do that and the next game is the key part of how we bounce back.”