3 minute read
DANNY COWLEY
from Pompey v Accrington 09.05.21
by TGDH
HEAD COACH
DANNY COWLEY
GOOD AFTERNOON TO YOU ALL AS WE GET READY TO FACE ACCRINGTON STANLEY IN THE LATEST SKY BET LEAGUE ONE FIXTURE AT FRATTON PARK
We have taken seven points from the last nine available. Considering we had to change the system in the first two of these fixtures due to injuries and suspension, this has been a good outcome for us. Credit to the players, who adapted well after losing two of our back four. We are a new group and in the process of embedding the principle of our game idea. They have already taken on so much information. To have to make significant alterations at this stage in our development as a team was far from ideal and I have nothing but admiration for them in terms of their willingness to learn. To take 20 points from 11 matches – with seven of those being away from home – has been a positive return. The group have travelled more than 2,500 miles in the past 21 days and bearing in mind the diminishing squad numbers, I have been proud of the players’ commitment to the cause.
Our performance against Bristol Rovers was both solid and professional. We scored a really nice counter-attack goal and restricted our opponents to 0.18 expected goals. We had good control in the game, but weren’t able to find the rhythm in our performance we would have liked. We looked like a team using ‘Plan B’ who hadn’t quite mastered ‘Plan A’ yet. That is not for the want of trying – it is just where we are as a group at this time. We have played seven times in 21 days, with very little opportunity to train and continue our development as a team. The Accrington match would have been a great one for the neutral. For people associated with either team, however, it should have come with a health warning! To go 2-0 down was bitterly disappointing. The first goal was a great effort, but could have been avoided with better positional play, while the second was a very poor one to concede. Three consecutive mistakes by us led to the goal and we went in at half-time with a mountain to climb.
To show the resilience, determination and grit needed to fight our way back in the second half was really pleasing. We took the lead in injury time with a brilliant goal from John Marquis, so to then be pegged back moments later was heart-breaking and really tough to take. After a difficult way into the AFC Wimbledon game, I was pleased with our response – particularly after going a goal down. It is the second time in those 11 fixtures that we have come from behind down to win. It is a given that you are going to win when you play well, but good teams are also able to do that when they are not at their best. This is a trait of all successful sides.
To go into the final match with it being in our hands is an opportunity that we have worked incredibly hard for. The best players and teams seize the opportunity when it is presented. In fact, it is these moments that define us.
This is not going to be easy, but then nothing worth achieving ever is! There is no doubt we are going to need your support and, quite simply, there is no way we can do this without you. We know what this game means to you and we feel exactly the same. It is our absolute ambition to put a performance together that reflects the magnitude of this encounter. We intend to be relentless, play with energy and intensity, and find our best performance when we need it most. Remember, it is difficult to beat the team that never gives up! I would like to take this opportunity to welcome John Coleman and his Accrington Stanley team to Fratton Park today. We have the utmost respect for John and his staff. Year after year, they recruit from the lower leagues and then develop them into top players. They have created a team that are a match for anyone at this level. Play up Pompey!
Danny
EDDIE ‘ED’ HOOPER
Portsmouth Football Club were saddened to learn of the death of loyal fan Eddie ‘Ed’ Hooper, who had been a season ticket holder since the early 1970s. May he rest in peace.
