Up at 4am, drive up to Sunderland, leave Sunderland shortly after 6am. Back to Sunderland at midnight, defeated after going 1-0 up - same old story only shitter than usual.

Cana back in midfield, Richardson left back and Zenden given a deserved start. Reason for hope I suppose.

Sunderland started decent and looked positive with their approach and early doors, Portsmouth didn't seem to have anything to offer. Sunderland took a well deserved lead thanks to Darren Bent, his fifteenth goal of the season.

This is as good as it got, after that is was crap. You could sense Portsmouth were slowly getting back into the game and with our defence, even Darlington would fancy their chances. Hopeless cross into the box, Gordon in no man’s land, Bardsley out jumped by Utaka, ball ends up slowly in the back of the net, a very, very poor goal to concede. Only moments later another rush of bloody by Gordon, flapping in no man’s land.

Half time 1-1: not too bad I suppose given our away record

2nd half was typical Sunderland away from home, sat back, didn't attack well and defended poorly. About 15 minutes into the 2nd half, Utaka ran onto a long ball which about five double deckers could have fit through, the marking was that shite. Nicely taken goal slotted past Gordon 2-1 and it felt like a matter of "how many can they score". Pompey having a fair few chances to extend their lead.

Sunderland had a free kick well saved late on and a chance cleared off the line but in 45 minutes that was in, fair to say unacceptable I'm sure many will agree?

Portsmouth looked comfortable for most of the second half which is a worrying statement bearing in mind we have our traditional away day tonking coming up on Wednesday.

Mixed reaction on the whole at full time, long journey home on the bus.

Overall not too bad up until 1-0, afterwards very poor, awful defending and a midfield that seems to be lacking the basics in football at present.

Final Score: 1-2

ALS Man Of The Match: The fans who travelled down from the north east

Amount of times asked when we are stopping/which services we are stopping at on way home: 15

Chris Hackworth

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