Portsmouth News

FA Cup Spotlight

- Pictures by Dave Haines sport@thenews.co.uk

IN POSSESSION

DANNY COWLEY admitted he got his team selection wrong as Pompey fell to a dreadful fourth defeat on the bounce.

The Blues’ boss felt he made incorrect calls as he made five changes to his side for the 2-1 defeat at home to Cambridge United on Saturday.

An injury to Clark Robertson forced Cowley’s hand at the back, as Paul Downing came in for his first start of the season.

Ellis Harrison replaced John Marquis up front with Miguel Azeez, Mahlon Romeo and Ronan Curtis in for Reeco HackettFai­rchild, Joe Morrell and Kieron Freeman.

And Cowley felt the end result was a disjointed performanc­e without the level of pressing he demands.

He said: ‘I’m the manager, I pick the team and I didn’t get the team right. We lost players which disrupted us midweek, particular­ly when Clark Robertson picked up an injury.

‘Off the back of not having right-foot and left-foot balance, we then decided to have a point of reference at the top of the pitch.

‘It added something but took something away and we looked unfamiliar.

‘We didn’t get the team right. We have to accept that and take responsibi­lity for that. I take the responsibi­lity for that.’

He added: ‘The easiest person for me to affect is me, so I take responsibi­lity.

‘But the players have to take the responsibi­lity for their level of performanc­e, too, because that’s what we do.

‘A lot of managers will come out and blame the players. It’s always collective because we were short.’

 ??  ??
 ??  ?? JUMPING FOR JOY Goalscorer Alex Wall, above left, is congratula­ted by Billy Clifford and Abdulai Baggie after the first of his two goals. Right - Baggie on the ball
JUMPING FOR JOY Goalscorer Alex Wall, above left, is congratula­ted by Billy Clifford and Abdulai Baggie after the first of his two goals. Right - Baggie on the ball
 ??  ?? AERIAL ACTION Scott Rendell gets in a header against Beaconsfie­ld
AERIAL ACTION Scott Rendell gets in a header against Beaconsfie­ld
 ??  ?? SAVED Hawks keeper Ross Worner blocks a shot
SAVED Hawks keeper Ross Worner blocks a shot
 ??  ?? ON TARGET Jake McCarthy celebrates a goal
ON TARGET Jake McCarthy celebrates a goal
 ??  ?? GOAL Alex Wall curls in the first of his brace
GOAL Alex Wall curls in the first of his brace
 ??  ?? Hawks midfielder Oscar Gobern, right
Hawks midfielder Oscar Gobern, right

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