Boro v Portsmouth
Saturday 24 August. KO 15.00
After a hugely impressive and satisfying hammering of Leeds, Boro came back to earth with a painful bump in losing badly at Derby. One of those games you might think, but all the reports say that, despite dominating possession throughout, we simply couldn’t break down a stubborn Derby defence. It’s a familiar story, and one we will no doubt encounter often this season, especially at home. Michael Carrick has to find a way to get past the low block and for the wide men to get behind the opposition fullbacks. Against Derby, apparently, we managed very few crosses into the box. We have the players to do it, you would think, with Jones and Ayling down the right hand side, Burgzorg or potentially Hamilton on the left, aided by the creativity of Riley McGree, who of course was missing on Saturday. Let’s hope he returns for this one. Finn Azaz has been a bit of a disappointment so far: perhaps Alex Gilbert might offer more? We could also do with more positivity from Engel, who hasn’t managed to get forward much at all so far. Where’s Ryan Giles when you need him? Defensively, on the other hand, we have few concerns: we’ve been very solid so far, one blooper at Derby apart.
We’ll have a closer look at the opposition in a moment, but for this one, I am expecting quite an open game. In both their games so far Pompey have lined up 4-2-3-1. They only managed about 33% possession in the Leeds game, but boldly went for it against formidable opponents, scored three goals and nearly won the match - and yes, I know anybody can score 3 against Leeds these days! In their home 0-0 draw with Luton that figure was reversed and Pompey dominated possession. So, I’m really expecting them to be quite enterprising. On the other hand, ‘rising star’ manager John Mousinho will have learned from the Derby game that we might struggle against a packed defence. If I were in charge of tactics for Boro my master plan for this game (and indeed, for all others) would be: ‘Get out there, lads, and score first! ‘
The opposition
Pompey have been on an emotional rollercoaster ride over the last 20 years. They were of course in the Premiership between 2003 and 2010, winning the FA Cup in 2008, much to the chagrin and despair of Boro supporters: I’m sure we all remember that should’ve been our year, until a disastrous home defeat by lowly Cardiff put an end to our dreams. Pompey themselves suffered a cataclysmic relegation in 2010, beginning a downward spiral with consecutive relegations from the Championship in 2012 and League One in 2013. In League Two they finished as low as 16th one year, before finally escaping back to League One in 2017. Their misfortunes hadn’t ended, however. It took them another seven years of League One struggles, including failing twice in the play-offs, before finally making it back to the Championship last year as division champions. It’s been a rough ride. Personally I’m glad to see them back. I think they bring something different to this division, a famous and relatively big club with a large and passionate fan base from a great and proud south coast city, with its great naval traditions. I hope both they and Plymouth survive and thrive at this level.
Portsmouth lost only five games last season in winning the league and accruing a very impressive 97 points. They scored 78 goals and conceded only 41. They’re expected to struggle rather more at the higher level, especially as only 4 or 5 of their squad, including new recruits, have experience of the Championship. Survival is probably the principal aim this season.
They are clearly working hard at boosting the squad, having made 8 new signings so far, mostly on free transfers or loans. These include former Bournemouth and Toon winger, Matt Ritchie; ex- Norwich and -Cardiff winger Josh Murphy, and of course, Sammy Silvera, though not for this game, presumably.
They’ve started well, drawing 3-3 at Leeds and 0-0 at home to Luton, so one against the Championship favourites and the other against one of last season’s relegated trio. So they’re no mugs. They’ll also bring with them a bucketload of passion, confidence at having cruised their league last year, and a determination not to sink back down the leagues. Boro will be expected to win, but that was the case at Derby……..
Sadly for them, they will be without their top scorer of the last two seasons, Colby Bishop (21 goals last year), as a routine heart scan during pre-season medical checks revealed a potential risk which necessitated immediate surgery. We wish him well.
Now, we need to address the thorny issue of why the football club and the city itself are known as Pompey? Bear with me…… This could take a while. There are umpteen (unproven) theories. Portsmouth Public Library issued a leaflet a few years ago with several explanations:
- The football team had its origins in a team from the Royal Artillery. One day, a unit from the RA were doing a duty which in France would have been performed by firemen. Some Frenchmen present noticed this, and gave the RA the nickname "les pompiers", and the name stuck to the team.
- Sailors are well known for their use of slang and informal nicknames; was Portsmouth playfully transformed into the more concise and affectionate ‘Pompey?’ The line from Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra - "Pompey is strong at sea" would appeal to nickname loving sailors. There is, or was, a naval expression "to play Pompey" meaning "to wreak havoc".
- A lady, Aggie Weston, ran a hostel for sailors at Portsmouth. It is said that in 1904 she gave a talk on the Roman general, Pompey the Great. When she told of his assassination one of the sailors called out, "Poor old Pompey!" A few days later PFC had a home match, played badly, and when they inevitably conceded, a sailor in the crowd called out, "Poor old Pompey!"
- Portuguese sailors accompanying Catherine of Braganza to her wedding with Charles II in Portsmouth noticed a likeness between the town and the then Portuguese possession, Bombay.
- In 1797, La Pompie was one of the ships most involved in the Spithead mutiny. "Pompey" sounds like the utterances of drunken sailors asking their way to Portsmouth Point, whence they would take ship.
- Some Portsmouth-based sailors climbed to the top of Pompey's pillar in Egypt, and became known as the Pompey boys.
- "Pompey" is northern slang for a prison (Is it? I’ve never heard that!) and there is a naval prison in Portsmouth.
So there you go. No-one really knows. Today, the use of ‘Pompey’ has extended beyond the naval context, becoming a beloved and enduring part of the city's identity.
I’m really looking forward to this game. I hope they’ll bring lots of fans and that they’ll make lots of noise. Will we see that famous geezer we used to see a lot on telly, with his long hair, tall blue hat, bare, tattooed arms and his huge bell? Is he still alive? I hope so. Their famous chant is ‘Play up Pompey, Pompey play up.’ It’s from a song called the Pompey Chimes, which is reputedly the oldest existing football chant. (Don’t Norwich claim the same about their song, ‘On the ball, City’?)
I admit I’d been a tad wary of writing ‘Up Pompey,’ as this may stir memories of the great Frankie Howard’s 1970s romps as a Roman slave!
Let’s hope we again see Boro in their pomp, eh? I think we’ll win 2-0. If we score first……..
A great read Clive, some interesting thoughts, thank you. I too think we need a win to get going again, I don’t think Portsmouth are a team that sit back in defence, maybe later in the season if they are struggling, but two points from Leeds away and Luton at home is not a bad return for any team. I have a feeling they will come at us from kickoff, so I hope we are switched on from the start.
Come on BORO.
A great opener Clive which I thoroughly enjoyed: informative, entertaining and rendered in your own inimitable voice.
I just hope that we manage to hit the target on Saturday and that the crowd don't resort to Frankie Howerd's "Oooh, er, misses"
Clive,
A great read and the nerves are already jangling and twanging away. Will Boro win? I'm leaving that to the Marton Oracle to emerge from his cave in his robes and make a prediction after his usual checking of the form table so far, a little partisan help and checking any handy entrails and tea leaves.
After the Derby gameI think I'd better sort the behind the couch position out again and get some Golden Wonder or Smiths Crisps. There you are an omen; there's a blue twist of salt in Smiths Crisps and it will be taken to pieces by me. Let's all hope Boro do the same with Portsmouth who I hope play in blue.
As an aside I remember, when I was kid, buying bubblegum packets with football cards in them at Trees' newsagents in Saltersgill near St Chads' Church and in one was a card of Raymond Froggat with that super badge on his shirt. Always a favourite badge just like West Brom's badge. Now, more importantly, will it be Timothy Taylor Landlord or Sam Smiths to help the game along. Mmmm.
Best wishes everyone.
UTB,
John
Thank you Clive for your very enjoyable and informative opener.
I certainly need Boro to win this weekend otherwise I will never hear the last of it as my two sons and grandkids are all pompey supporters and live locally.
I know the club and city well and purchased a property adjacent to the dockyard, which we still retain, prior to our move to Spain.
So for me a win any win will do, else I may have to go into hiding to avoid the ribbing which will come my way if pompey get even a point. 😎
Good work, Clive - I really enjoyed the many and varied Pompey theories. We need to win this one - let’s hope we’re not going through that familiar struggle to put the ball in the back of the net - we’ve been there too many times before.
Lovely opener Clive, thank you. I too enjoyed reading of the many different Pompey theories.
As for the game on Saturday. You are spot on in calling out our reluctance to try and get behind the defence and I expect Portsmouth will make that necessary for us in the game.
The combination of Djiksteel and Jones at Leeds showed we can do that quite effectively on the right when we play at pace and pull the defence out of position.
As for the left. Is it me, or does it look like whenever we have the ball moving g from right, through the middle towards the left, we always seem to do an about turn and bring the ball back to right instead of playing Engel in. Almost as if he is not trusted.
No prediction from me, I am invariably wrong anyway. I'll just be happy if we win.
I just hope that we manage to hit the target on Saturday and that the crowd don't resort to Frankie Howerd's "Oooh, er, misses"
That’s very, very funny, Len!
Great intro Clive. The guy you mentioned with the tattoos and long hair is John Anthony Portsmouth Football Club Westwood. He is still alive and works as an antiquarian bookseller. In recent times this fixture has often been a draw, the last three games at the Riverside achieved that result half the games this century have been draws. Portsmouth only win at the Riverside was a 4-0 win in 2006. The referee is Matt Donohue his last Boro game was our 2-0 win v Swansea last season.
It's early doors . However I do have a couple of concerns,one , harmony in the dressing room , can you sustain 22 players when anyone of them could start for the team, and two, the loss of Danks ,who obviously had some influence , Carrick throwing everyone on at Derby ,seems a little panicky , hope he isnt getting some poor advice,
Saw Pompey v Leeds , Leeds should have been up 4-0 first ten minutes, so a win for us should be expected,if we are a team we think we are. COB
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don’t know if this can be seen but it’s a photo of Mogga Dion Dublin and Pally today in Yarm and Mogga looks great !
The matches are coming thick and fast, with another great Headliner.
Thank you very much Clive for the interesting and informative piece.
Whoever turns up on Saturday will decide the outcome. If it is once more, "Typical Boro", then we could be all go home disappointed.
I just hope the MC, tweaks the side a little and gives more importance to getting behind Portsmouth's defence. Hopefully that will create better opportunities.
We certainly need a win.
@mw-in-darwin
Thanks for the info re John PFC Westwood! Here’s a link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Portsmouth_Football_Club_Westwood.
And a photo of him in his pomp(ey):
It’s wrong to stereotype people, I know, but antiquarian bookseller is the last occupation I would have associated with this guy!!
Great photo, Bob. So pleased to see Mogga looking so well.
Clive
Mamy thanks for a superlative opener and apologies for my delay in letting you know how much I appreciated your informative and detailed opener.
Youve only proved what I’ve always said about this blog- there are so many talented wordsmiths and contributors who make it so exceptional.
I’m really pleased also that Si is back with us although I’ve kept prompting him to come back and let rip with one of his ripostes and essays on our beloved Boro.
Thanks again guys for being who you are it’s appreciated by all of us
OFB
From the depths of the Bonnygrove Caves down in the Marton Dell a stirring of the runes.
A bedraggled bald fat man who is an ancient seer and erstwhile scholar is gazing into his latest creation - Fire !
The flickering flames dance up and down and as he peers into the shadows he sees some men in red and they are dancing and hugging each other!
Oh that be anuther good un he says to his old blind dog at his feet !
Boro3 have won again !
And the magic lives on….
OFB
Redcar Red where are you ???
OFB
VDB
Doubtful for Saturday
Engel
Fractured Wrist
Howson
Should be Ok
Our Aussie should be fine as well
OFB
@Clive An excellent opener again. Sorry that I did not have had time to write the concratulations down before. Well done, mate.
@OFB I hope you are xorrectly informed and the three of Engel, Howson and McGree will be OK, and back to the squad for Saturday. You did not mention vdB who we would need desperately as long as Fry and Leninhan will finish the recomery and the small nigles that come after long recove procesw.
I think the Derby loss was a small dip result wise. We played better than the home team and made one mistake in a pass that cost us at least a point. But it is early doors and plenty of matches to be played. At least we have more points in the bag now than after the first seven games we had a year ago.
We were the form team at the end of last season during the last 14 matches. So the expectations were high and naturally we should aim for same form now. That form over a season should bring a place in the top two. But we need less injuries than last season, when we occationally had 11 first teamers away with injuries. We cannot afford the same now, and we have a new top person in the physics side from Tottenham.
Also, we should remember that during Carrick's first season, we practically played with same starting eleven all the time untill late April, when Chuba Akpom was injured. But there was no trend for injuries then like last season.
So Portsmouth then. A tough game against a newly promoted team who are full of confidence after winning promotion. I will be happy with any win. Luckily the Carrick team have usually played well after a defeat. So we can be hopefull.
I will miss watching the match live with a family appointment. So I hope you, chaps will enjoy the performance and result. I will go for 3-1 win. hope van den Berg is fit and playing. As then a 3-0 win will do. Up the Boro!
I also expect Barlaser and Glover to go for fees £ before the transfer deadline
OFB
I would be over the moon (where that saying is coming from?) If Redcar Red would show up in here 🥰. Up the Boro!
The phrase "over the moon" is thought to have originated from the 16th century nursery rhyme "Hey Diddle Diddle," which includes the line "The cow jumped over the moon". The phrase is used to describe being very happy or delighted about something, such as being "over the moon" about a new bike. The enthusiasm that someone might feel when they are "over the moon" could be so energetic that it might allow a cow to actually jump over the moon.
OFB
As events unfolded at Derby last Saturday they did not really take me by surprise
I was disappointed that six of the side which eviscerated Leeds were dropped, including Dijksteel, Gilbert, Coburn and Barlaser, all of whom had played out of their skins.
So the Derby result wasn’t really a case of Typical Boro, or a loss of momentum after Leeds, because the two Boro sides fielded against Derby and Leeds had very little in common. Let’s call them Boro 1 and Boro 2 respectively.
The Boro 1 result at Derby had little in common with the way Boro 2 played at Leeds but was quite consistent with its previous displays against Swansea and Herenveen.
Boro 1 had gone for three hours in their previous matches without scoring from open play, their only goals coming via penalties earned from fouls on Jones.
So Boro 1’s failure to breach a packed defence is precisely what the form book might have predicted, particularly after Jones who has provided both Boro 1 and 2’s main attacking threat over the past four games was withdrawn.
That was the point where I felt that the game was indeed lost.
From half-time up until that point we had played well, had opened up the Derby defence on numerous occasions, especially down the right , and it seemed to be only a matter of time before we broke through.
I wondered whether there might be an element of slapped wrist for Jones’ earlier error because the change made no sense in footballing terms.
Replacing your most potent threat with a player who, whatever his potential, has barely been introduced to his team mates is not something that is consistent with Carrick’s emphasis on squad integration, and the importance of pre-season to hone tactics , achieve match fitness etc, in all of which Hamilton was, through no fault of his own, lacking.
And it showed throughout the rest of the game.
Young Hamilton was like a fish out of water. The uncertainty showed in his body language..
Should I stay on the touchline to give us width ? Or go inside to create space for Ayling ?
Should I be taking people on ? Or keep recycling the ball to create space elsewhere?
And if I go on a run should I be heading for the bye-line ? Or cutting inside to shoot ?
And when I get to the bye-line should I be cutting the ball back? Or looking for a near or far post header?
Putting on Conway, with Coburn sitting on the bench, was even less explicable.
Because modern football coaches, of whom Carrick and Woodgate are excellent examples, simply do not take that approach
Pep Guardiola showed this emphatically at the week-end putting some of Europe’s finest footballers on the bench because they had only recently returned from the Euros. Of Stones, Walker, Foden and Rodri, only Foden made it on to the pitch against Chelsea.
An article in the Gazette ruminating on Boro’s defeat had this to say:
“Conway is a big signing for Boro this summer. The subject of roughly two years of scouting work, he was the club's top striker target and it required a lot of hard work to bring him to Teesside. In that sense, it would be obvious to bring him on.”
What you can hear there is the unattributed voice of Kieran Scott outlining a policy in an assertive and entitled tone that is, in footballing terms, the purest nonsense.
I do not believe that Carrick was being told what to do with his subs at Derby, any more than journalists who work for Rupert Murdock are told what to write. They don’t need to be. They understand the priorities, preferences and politics of their bosses and have some degree of autonomy in interpreting them.
Carrick put it very well . He is the end point, the final link in what he called at yesterday’s press conference “a chain of understanding”
Whether that augurs well for the coming transfer window, our results in what we envisaged as relatively comfortable fixtures over the next few weeks, and our season as a whole remains to be seen
But I can discern cracks here of the kind which appeared with our two previous managers. I hope they do not develop into major fissures. That, I suspect, will depend on results.
@lenmasterman Now, that’s a thought provoking post, if ever I read one. Good work, Len.
Just catching up after finally also catching up on my gardening duties after my dodgy achilles has 'unfortunately' healed sufficiently to once again climb the ladder - a 100m of wild-looking hedges have been trimmed neatly and the out of control magnolia is once again pruned into a befitting shape - I'm now hoping Mrs Werder sends me on gardening leave from my job as a gardener 🤔
Anyway, first of all many thanks Clive for another educational-treat of an opener with plenty of analysis to boot - I didn't know much about Portsmouth before today but am now fully stacked with interesting anecdotes!
As for Boro, I'm hoping the defeat at Derby has galvanised the players and coaches to find the solution to our profligacy in front of goal. I read today that no team in the Championship has had more shots on goal than Boro so far this season - a bit ironic given that we have no goals from open play as yet. Still, it's a good sign that chances are being created and that Leeds display showed we do have goals in the team.
However, it's the old problem of deciding who to play and maybe sticking with the players who are showing they're in form - just read Len's post and he makes the very valid point of not benching players who only a few days ago appeared on fire.
Though, both Swansea and Derby were not playing on the front foot like Leeds were and there lies the dilemma of how to tactically open teams who don't want to play ball the way that Boro want them to. At Derby, Boro's delivery was either too loose and allowed their keeper any easy collect or too hesitant with the players giving the Rams defence plenty of time to get into position while they exchanged steady passes that went nowhere.
Still, it's early days and I suspect many Boro players have yet to get into their stride yet and find that match sharpness - though these games are there to be won against opposition I don't expect to be challenging for promotion.
An early goal should do the trick tomorrow and then maybe we'll see how good this Boro team could be...
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don’t know if this can be seen but it’s a photo of Mogga Dion Dublin and Pally today in Yarm and Mogga looks great !
I was wondering who that old grey man in the background was then read it was a 59-year old Gary Pallister - I now don't feel so bad being 60 with only one or two grey hairs now starting to appear on my sideburns 😉
Erudite, focussed, precise and to the point. A hard truth and I hope some people at the club, read, digest and think.
I live in hope. Admitting your mistakes is hard.
UTB,
John
Boro close to signing a Brazilian left back:
😎