They were shit, we were much shitter.

Thankfully I don't live far away, feel sorry for the poor buggers who have to get all the way back to Hartlepool tonight.

as a southern Poolie I went today expecting to see much better show but same old same old. We created nothing especially second half save a Fenwick shot not far off the roof of the stand and a Duckworth far post weak left foot curler wide the sum total of a dismal second half after everyone was deep.

A word for Sam Coillins who has been clearly instrumental in bringing in Mirfin. I counted 5 excellent penalty area blocks from him when Pompey could have had a hatful of first half goals.

The 3 central defenders did well with Mirfin clearly a class above the division, a busy Woods, decent check backs and turns with calm passes from Tishobla and an OK Featherstone were the only successes today. 5 at the back did not suit Duckworth surprisingly as he was often too far forward as he is better running from deep but he did get into the box in the first half a few times with no end product but what do you expect from a right back. As for Austin in the back 5 as an overlapping wing back his lack of a first touch was exposed. Maybe he should be left out an either Franks or Holden play there.

The biggest worry today and for the rest of the season is up top. Despite 4 goals Fenwick is too slow for league football especially for breaks away from home this is why Ronnie left him out at Tranmere and one wag next to me described Marvellous Marvin Morgan as a 'poor man's Harewood'. Morgan is thin, tall but arguably slower than Harewood and looks to turn in the opposite direction of a pass after his first touch rather than just do the simple thing and play the way you are facing by just helping the ball on 'one more' to a wide position and then look for the second ball into the box with a diagonal run.

The bottom line is we looked every bit a conference team with zero threat and not enough quality save for Mirtfin, Tish and Woods. Bad, bad day especially with the results.

three times all away from home

I actually thought Tish was poor as well, best of the bunch were Woods and Mirfin by some distance.

Will keep it brief, have 15mins.

Reminiscent of earlier in the season, destined for a bore draw only to concede and lose.

Players looked lost playing 352

Morgan looks very lightweight. Failed to hold the ball up and poor control, easily knocked off the ball

Mirfin looked decent, composed, strong

Woods did well again

Disappointed Ronnie didn't change the system at half time or when it was clear 352 wasn't working, but he's managed nearly 800 matches and I haven't

Tish free kick and corner were bobbins surely he has to get them off the ground and beyond the first man - ah the modern day course bring back Jimmy Shoulder for dead balls!

Must admit I'm surprised Moore changed things around playing 3 central defenders after the last two performances - when we looked dangerous for the full 90 minutes and created a hat full of chances. Also an odd one to leave a man out who scored two goals in the last game. Can understand playing Mirfin but would have made sense to be a straight swop with Jones. Losing Bingham could be a big miss as he was outstanding in last two matches particularly. Going to be tough now.

I think Moore made a mistake today to be honest after two games were we have played well and collected points why change the system? I think he must really rate Dan Jones and didn't want to leave him out. I'm one of Franks's biggest critics but he scored two decent goals last week. Maybe he thought that Morgan is a different type or olayer to Bingham and needs someone playing off him, I don't know. Mifrin's introduction should have made us stronger but I think the loss of Bingham is underestimated for a lad on loan from a team around us in the table I thought he was a surprisingly good footballer, great work ethic good pace and ability and a real team player. Perfect to play up front in a 4-5-1/4-3-3

Have to agree, I thought Ronnie got his tactics wrong yesterday. The team was set up to try and not lose when we should have went there to try and win. Pompey hadn't won in nine so their confidence must have been low. I think it was wrong to leave Franks on the bench after his two goals last week. However that's in the past now and we need to concentrate on winning the two home games this week and that won't be easy, Northampton are bang in form and Stevenage are always tough to beat. Here's hoping for six points, come on lads!

100% agree, I missed the first 15 mins queuing up for a ticket to get in....... but never thought we were in any trouble with mirfin outstanding / strolling through the game. The gosl was well taken by Tubbs but that's what you get when you buy quality the biggest disappointment for me was once the goal went in I don't remember us having a shot at goal. In fact, I don't remember us having a shot at goal the whole game

Meant to add, the Pompey fans on the whole were pretty friendly yesterday compared to my last visit when it kicked off after the game. However, there was no 'wall of noise' until they scored and they were definitely there for the taking.

Also, 2 guys taking down the monkey hangers flag at the end were getting a bit of abuse from people in the family stand towards our right. I just don't get it, why would you swear/ make wanking/middle finger gestures to total strangers right in front of your kids, what an example to be setting

One of the stewards said to me before the game that Pompey would play for the first 20mins then that would be that and he was pretty much right. The fact we kept them out for that spell makes it even more annoying we went on to lose because they offered very little.

Also, the Pompey fans referred to above booed Fenwick when he went down injured when we were 1-0 down?!?! So he's going to feign injury to waste our own time is he? Cocks. (That said, the rest of the Pompey fans were fine)

maybe his performances away from home have something to do with the way the whole team plays away from home.

Fenwick isn't the finished product. This is his first season as a pro, cut him some slack. I'd sooner have a squad of players with Fenwick's desire and attitude than one Jack Compton.

for god sake people, give Fenwick a chance, he was working full time and playing in the northern league only a few months back, what do some people expect.

Agree with all of that. We should have taken the game to pompey who have been struggling. I still think there is hope though. We just somehow need to get within 4 or 5 points of a few teams with 6 or 7 games to go then there will be some pressure on Cheltenham, Mansfield, Accy etc.

4 in 7 tells me fenwick is doing just fine.

I said it before we signed Morgan, his record is pants. Over the last 5 years he rarely scores. His goals all came at non league level.

His professional record reads played 132 scored 17. As a striker that's woeful. If people thnk 4 in 7 is somehow bad then what the fuck do they make of Morgan's stats??

Hopefully im wrong but I can't see Morgan firing us to safety

ultimately though you look at bingham, he scored 1 in 5 yet nearly everyone is gutted he has gone.

not exactly firing goals for safety but it's what he offers. I agree Morgan's record may not be fantastic reading but give the bloke a change jesus. if he helps others to score more, i don't think people would care less if he isn't scoring

Maybe not his goals but if he can do the dirty work for Fenwick to bang them in then surely he's worth having?

Marlon's better at holding the ball up and feeding Fenwick

(He's only played one game though so I shouldn't be so harsh on him but he had a bad game on Saturday)

My original comnents were based on fenwick getting stick. I was merely comparing the 2.

Hopefully Morgan is different from the likes of Howard or nish. I have never rated him I can't lie about that. With harewood on the books I don't see the point in having him. Id much rather have someone younger and quicker but time will tell if Ronnie has called it right. We ain't in a position to make mistakes so he needs to start scoring goals quickly. We can't be carrying anyone and no shots on goal on Saturday worries me

I think you're right Mr Birthmark. Younger/quicker would've been better and no point signing him when Marlon does the same job (only better if Saturday is anything to go by).

I think Ronnie probably had little choice to be honest, I reckon his options would've been massively limited, either by our precarious position, lack of funds or the fact we're practically in Scotland.