There are a number of intriguing subplots to this evening’s south coast contest between Pompey and Ipswich (7.45pm kick-off). Visiting boss Paul Cook led the Blues to the 2016/17 League Two title, with Tractor Boys striker Conor Chaplin playing his part in that triumph. So to did Gary Roberts, who is now on the Suffolk side’s backroom team, along with ex-Fratton goalkeeping coach John Keeley. Pompey duo Ellis Harrison and Ryan Tunnicliffe both had previous stints at Portman Road, while Gavin Bazunu, Michael Jacobs, Joe Morrell and Mahlon Romeo were all linked with a move there over the summer. But tonight is also a match between two clubs who will feel they should be sitting higher in the League One standings. An inconsistent start to the campaign has left Pompey in 12th position after a dozen fixtures, while their opponents are one point – and three places – behind. Ipswich failed to win any of their opening eight games in all competitions, although have picked up of late. They are the division’s top scorers with 23 strikes – helped by last month’s 6-0 rout of bottom club Doncaster. But nobody has conceded more than the 21 that have gone in at the other end and the side let slip a two-goal lead to draw at Cambridge on Saturday. Pompey won all three meetings between the sides last season, including a 2-1 victory at Fratton Park in Danny Cowley’s first match in charge. TEAM NEWS Republic of Ireland international Ronan Curtis is available again after being suspended for Saturday’s defeat at Rotherham. Paul Downing (hamstring), Ellis Harrison (ankle), Jayden Reid (knee), Clark Robertson (hip) and Liam Vincent (shin) are all sidelined. Ipswich have doubts over Hayden Coulson (groin) and Christian Walton (thigh), while Jon Nolan (calf) will definitely miss out. Summer signings Lee Evans and Joe Pigott were both absent for the Tractor Boys at the weekend for family reasons. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Pompey: 16 wins Ipswich: 19 wins 12 draws At Fratton Park Pompey: 6 wins Ipswich: 10 wins 7 draws TICKETS There are a limited number of single seats still available for this evening’s match, which can be bought online here or by visiting the Anson Road ticket office. Please note that all parking has been pre-booked and there are no more spaces available in the club car park. Fratton Park is now a cashless stadium, with contactless payments will be required in all food kiosks and hospitality areas, as well as for the purchase of tickets. Portsmouth Football Club respectfully ask all supporters to adhere to the Code of Conduct to ensure an enjoyable and safe matchday experience for all. OFFICIALS Referee: Joshua Smith Assistants: Rob Smith and Sam Lewis Fourth Official: Tom Bishop BETTING Pompey are the 6/4 favourites with VBET to secure all three points, while the visitors can be backed at 21/10.
Ipswich sold around 1250 tickets for tonight, so should be a good atmosphere. Plenty already on the way!............. please log in to view this image
Half time, and it's 0-1 to the Tractor Boys. 42nd minute goal from Macauley Bonne after a mistake by Gavin Bazunu. First half bookings for Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness for fouls. Also for Ipswich defender Edmundsun for a foul on Ronan Curtis. Can't believe that Sam Morsy wasn't yellow carded for a nasty foul on Joe Morrell, and then kicking him in the head when he landed on top of the Pompey player !
Half Time Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth ............Away Team: Ipswich Possession: Home 52% Away 48% Shots: Home 3 Away 2 Shots on Target: Home 0 Away 1 Corners: Home 1 Away 1 Fouls: Home 6 Away 8
Final whistle. 0-4 to Ipswich Town. Boy, didn't we make them look like Barcelona, with our woeful defending. We were shocking !! I really don't know where we go from here, and wonder if Danny Cowley knows either. We conceded a second goal scored by Conor Chaplin in the 54th minute, and a third goal from Sone Aluko in the 58th minute after another Gavin Bazanu error. The 4th Ipswich goal was scored by substitute Wes Burns in the 73rd minute. Second half subs for Pompey were George Hirst for John Marquis who had a very poor game, Reeco Hackett for Marcus Harness, and Conor Ogilvie on for Shaun Williams. Tremendous applause for Conor Chaplin from Pompey fans when he was substituted, which was good to see - I wish he still played for us. Tractor Boys skipper Sam Morsy got the yellow card he deserved for another nasty foul. What I couldn't understand was why Danny Cowley didn't bring on Arsenal youngster Miguel Azeez for Williams instead of bringing on Ogilvie another defender.
Final Match Stats:- Home Team: Portsmouth .........Away Team: Ipswich Possession: Home 52% Away 48% Shots: Home 7 Away 8 Shots on Target: Home 1 Away 5 Corners: Home 5 Away 3 Fouls: Home 9 Away 16
What an awful result! I imaginé there Will be a deluge of emails arriving at the CEO's computer demanding the Cowleys removal. That won't solve the problem as I feel the problema go much deeper, and unless these are resolved with a visionary board, League 1:and League 2: football Will be the future for the next decade!!
4-0 to the away team at Fratton Park? My favourite result On a more serious note what's gone wrong this season? I expected Cowley to sort you out and get the job done but you seem further away than ever. Is he out of his depth or do you think the squad is lacking a bit?
Difficult to answer this one Libby! We won our first three matches of the season and didn't concede a goal, so early on things looked good. One of Danny Cowley's failings in pre season was to only sign one new central defender in Clark Robertson. He is now injured along with another centre half Paul Downing, so we are reduced to using full backs in Conor Ogilvie and Kieron Freeman, or midfielder Shaun Williams as stand-in centre halves, and it simply isn't working! Therefore our defence is crap at present, with no sign of either of the injured players being fit to return in the forseeable future. First half wasn't too bad, but our second half display was dismal. We have strikers who simply cannot score goals, and the crowd is starting to get on their backs. I really don't know if the Cowley brothers are able to sort things out. Do hope they can though, and quickly! Mind you, Saints aren't doing too well either so far this season, so it's only Bournemouth carrying the flag for the south coast at present.
