Portsmouth News

Time to cut out budget jibes and recruit spine

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Andy Fleet, aged 34 from Hilsea, assesses Pompey’s 4-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday... What did you think of that performanc­e?

It was poor, really poor. That first half alone was one of the most one-sided I have seen this season.

This team is lightweigh­t, it can get rolled over at the drop of a hat. If things get tough, they don’t like it.

I don’t think Joe Morrell won a 50/50 all day, which is a shame because he has so much ability, but we are not going to win the league with him alongside Louis Thompson.

They are both lightweigh­t and prone to injury, they’re not fit enough to play three 90-minute games in a week. It has to be one playing or the other.

Our back four on their day is good enough, but at least one of those is leaving.

Enjoy a rare trip to Hillsborou­gh?

It’s such an amazing ground and going there felt like a real occasion, which is why we want to get promoted out of this league.

Having 50 away fans in the Milton End doesn’t create any form of occasion, it feels like a friendly.

Whereas you go to Hillsborou­gh and there are loads of different songs, a great atmosphere and they genuinely deserve to be in the Championsh­ip.

The ground was rocking in the first half, it was fantastic.

What next for Pompey?

Firstly we need better recruitmen­t, not silly little digs from Danny Cowley about the owners and budget.

We can moan about it all day, but Cowley would not have had to deal with a budget like this before in his career, so cut out the jibes and complaints.

I actually don’t think he’s far off it, things have got better. However, we need to recruit a spine – our old spine just won League One with Wigan.

Who was your man of the match? Had it not been for Gavin Bazunu we would have conceded seven. He kept on going when it must have been maddening for him having to play with such players.

He is clearly so much better than everyone else and it’s hard not to see him playing in the Premier League one day.

It’s incredible that he’s aged just 20 and performing like that. He’s a different class to Alex Bass, who is four years older and has been sent to Bradford to develop.

 ?? Picture: Paul Thompson ?? SURROUNDED Pompey winger Marcus Harness on the ball during the 4-1 defeat away to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday
Picture: Paul Thompson SURROUNDED Pompey winger Marcus Harness on the ball during the 4-1 defeat away to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday
 ?? ?? BEST OF THE BUNCH Gavin Bazunu was chosen as Pompey’s man of the match by Gaffer for a Day Andy Fleet
BEST OF THE BUNCH Gavin Bazunu was chosen as Pompey’s man of the match by Gaffer for a Day Andy Fleet

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