AKINFENWA HITS THE SWEET SPOT
TEARFUL Nnamdi Ofoborh received the backing of manager Gareth Ainsworth after being sent off in Wycombe’s narrow win over Portsmouth.
Bournemouth loanee Ofoborh saw red after a late lunge on Tom Naylor, but it didn’t stop Wycombe prevailing thanks to Adebayo Akinfenwa’s late penalty.
Portsmouth’s Ellis Harrison was also sent off in an ill-tempered Adams Park affair that saw neither team reach perfection.
“Nnamdi is in tears in the dressing room, but there is no need. He is part of this family and we will back anything he does,” said Ainsworth.
“The tackle was not malicious, was not dangerous, but nowadays it is tough for the referees as they have to make a decision.
“Ironically it is probably the worst we have played at home this season. We could have got our foot on the ball and passed it better. Portsmouth are a very physical, big side and it is always difficult against them, so I want to praise my boys who out their bodies on the line.
“I thought we deserved the win, but it was a very tight game that hinged on the red cards.
“It is never nice to lose to a penalty, but it was a penalty.
“Bayo (Akinfenwa) is a special character, an absolute one-off and he deserved all the credit he gets.”
Striker Akinfenwa slotted home eight minutes from time after midfielder Naylor had handled inside the box, as Pompey’s woeful start to the season continued. Their cause was not helped with Harrison’s red card, earning a second yellow for pushing after Nnamdi’s challenge sparked a fracas.
Substitute Brett Pitman came close to snatching a point when he headed against the crossbar, with Portsmouth – among the pre-season promotion favourites – still without an away win this campaign.
Manager Kenny Jackett said: “I think we can play better than that. It was not a great performance. I did feel we lacked some confidence and did not show enough quality going forward. We created minimal chances and that is frustrating.
“We conceded a penalty and my first impression was it was handball and at the end of the day that was the difference.
“The red card is not the reason we lost. The most important thing is the side’s performance. We did not get enough shots in and did not have enough going forward.
“Seven games in and we have won one and that is frustrating. We do want better, 100 per cent. “Naturally it comes on the manager and the most important thing as a manager is to try and win the next game.”