DARE I PREDICT THE SCORE TODAY

Very committed performance and at least we didn't lose but maybe that's because Pompey didn't punish mistakes like Ipswich did.
The 4-5-1 maybe will help us through for now but leaving Maynard isolated does not look good. Personally I think he tried hard enough but with no-one near him he could not do much with it. Physically it means he has to take a lot of punishment without a targetman alongside him.

Creatively our midfield created little and looks and performs just like the 3 man centre midfield we used on occasions last year, the only difference a like-for-like replacement of Kilkenny for LJ.

I appreciate its early days yet but Kilkenny so far looks like another very average midfielder to add to the likes of Skuse, Elliott, Johnson, Woolford and Cisse.

Was very pleased with all the back four today and Gerkin is exactly as I remember, an excellent shot-stopper , especially in 1-on-1 situations but otherwise not good on decision making.

2 weeks on and Ipswich looks like the very poor result that it was and yet we are now above them with a better goal difference. Funny old game !

Yes nicky needs a targetman. Someone to hold the ball up and feed him the threw ball.
Did well in flashes today but again he is being asked to do a job he is not physically able to do he's just not that sort of player. Maybe a diamond shape in midfield with stead/pitman at the top of the diamond to be the holding secondary striker.

I feel that if we are going to persist with 4-5-1 then perhaps Stead is going to be the better single striker than Nicky for the reasons Stead is Stronger than NM and is also better at holding the ball up playing with his back to goal.
How did Skuse do today I couldn't get the first half on player and I can't remember Skuses name mentioned more than twice and once was letting us know there were no changes at half time.
Surely Cisse is the better option as the midfield destroyer or have I missed something?

6/10 at best skuse today millen shouldve hooked him off

I think Millen and Scuse have got 'a thing' going

Maybe........
Are they related???

Does everything have to have a 'Skuse is rubbish' slant. He played well today and was more creative with his passing than Kilkenny. He also tackled more than Marv and held his position well.

Elliot is just a lump with no footballing ability, case in point, second half their left back was out of position Albert made a brilliant run inside only for Marv to pass it straight to the defender as he always does.

Cisse should be playing, but at the expense of Elliot's place in the team. Skuse can actually pass and run with the ball so is a better option at CM. If we want a big lump that can head the ball just play Stead or Taylor. That is genuinely all Marv is useful for.

Yesterday even.. Meh

Marvin Elliot - Average midfielder ???? You're having a laugh.

Our best defender at corners.
Our best attacker at our corners or free kicks - watch who 'their' CH picks up if you can't see it, and if you want further proof listen to Cotterill's thoughts on BCFC's best players.
In the current 4-5-1 he's the 'target man' Gerkins aims at. And very few, if any in the Championship, 'press' better than Elliot.

Ok, he most definitely isn't a great passer, BUT that's not his job and you need his 'type' in a balanced Championship team.

If others did 'their' jobs as well as Marvin Elliot we'd be fine.

Once again i agree with u there RedPrint. In the first 2 games of this season he was the only player on the pitch battling for goal whilst every other player had there heads in there hands. Marvs first touch isnt best but he will battle. I think some fans really need to become season ticket holders & go to most away games to really see a players ability & to grasp that players main roll. I still think Maynard needs another striker upfront with him to give him more options upfront of goal. Be interesting to see what team Keith puts out on Wednesday night against Swindon...