Gallen has high praise for ‘ruthless’ Pompey
‘Brilliant’ goals and another clean sheet make it a happy Fratton return
JOE GALLEN saluted ‘ruthless’ Pompey following a devastating display against AFC Wimbledon last night.
The League One strugglers were destroyed 4-0 in an overall performance as comprehensive as the scoreline suggests.
John Marquis, Ryan Williams, Sean Raggett and Ben Close were among the goals, representing the fifth time this season Pompey have scored four or more in a match.
The result ensures Kenny Jackett’s men remain third – yet are now just one point adrift of league leaders Hull City with a game in hand.
And the Blues’ assistant boss savoured last night’s Fratton Park outcome.
Gallen told The News: ‘It was ruthless.
‘Wimbledon have played very well in the previous games. Even though they haven’t always had good results, their performance levels have been very good.
‘They are a particularly dangerous team. The lads up front are very good and they tweaked their formation last night to play five at the back – and in the opening 20 minutes in did look like chances may be tough for us to come by.
‘The opening two goals, I must say, were ruthless. They were very, very good passing moves.
‘The first was a brilliant goal from us in terms of passing, switching play and an overlapping run and a cross. Then John’s (Marquis) nicked it in at the back post after Ryan’s (Williams) header.
‘Then the second is a brilliant goal from Ryan.
‘He probably isn’t left footed, I think he’s both, so for him to score with his weaker foot for a goal like that is pretty outstanding and gives us the platform to work on in terms of getting the result we wanted.
‘So to get 2-0 up was very good going because it was a very tight game up until that point.
‘The confidence that goal brought, well you could see it straight away. It literally livened the team, they were that extra bit quicker.’
Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, the Blues possess the best defensive record in the division. Wimbledon represented a sixth straight League One clean sheet – totalling 566 minutes without conceding a goal.
Gallen added: ‘The whole clean sheet side of things and not conceding goals gives you a chance to win the game.
‘Craig (MacGillivray), Sean (Raggett), Jack (Whatmough), Lee (Brown) and Callum (Johnson) have done very well in previous weeks, but ultimately it’s the team and the front players.
‘All of them desperately want a clean sheet, especially when the other team have the ball.
‘Get that part right and it gives you a hell of a chance.’