A decent first XI but we must strengthen squad
GAFFER FOR A DAY
Mark Harvey, aged 60 from Gosport, analyses Pompey’s
2-1 FA Cup defeat to Harrogate Town on Saturday...
What did you make of that?
It was poor, lacklustre, and the players approached it like the FA Cup was just another game and weren’t too bothered.
Danny Cowley afterwards explained some sort of sickness bug had gone through the camp. Well, let’s hope Shaun Williams had it to justify his performance.
What was most disappointing is that, for all Cowley’s talk that he hasn’t got a budget, imagine how much money we could have received for reaching the third round and drawing Liverpool in a televised game.
Harrogate wanted the game more than us, their best player was Jack Diamond. Kieron Freeman and Mahlon Romeo wouldn’t have slept on Saturday night.
What’s your assessment of Miguel Azeez’s performance?
He wasn’t in the game. This was a supposed Premier League player with a massive future and he couldn’t do it against a League Two side.
Personally I think Azeez is overrated. He comes across a bit too arrogant on the pitch and I just don’t see that killer pass from him. I struggle to see why he’s the player they say he is.
Arsenal see something in him, England see something in him. I think he’ll go back (to Arsenal) in January.
Who was your man of the match?
You would never have known Sean Raggett missed the last game through suspension, he slipped right back in and won everything in the air.
There was one mistake when he gave the ball away, otherwise he was outstanding and makes Connor Ogilvie a better player alongside him.
For me, Raggett is head and shoulders above everyone else so far for player of the year. The only one close – but nowhere near him – is Gavin Bazunu.
What are your expectations from the January transfer window?
We have a good first XI when everyone is available and a good back-up keeper – but the squad needs strengthening.
We’re playing our left-back at centre-half, even though he is doing a fantastic job, and all of our midfield players seemed to be defensive.
Azeez can go back, I’d keep George Hirst longer, he’s got better and better. We’ve tried to give Gassan Ahadme a bit of a stage, but I’d send him back to Norwich.