Saturday 23rd February 2008

Despite nine defeats on the spin away from what is fast becoming our home fortress of the SOL, I was unusually optimistic making my maiden voyage to Fratton Park – perhaps it was the fact that it was our “lucky” rubber black cat’s first outing of the season. Boarding a train from Waterloo just after 10am, we decided to keep in line with pub times and abstain from a beer for the first hour of the train journey. Needless to say, that was a foolhardy move, as the train had been drunk dry by 11am. Still, we arrived into Portsmouth Harbour with plenty of time to spare for a few pre-match sherbets on the harbour front, although we had to make an earlier than anticipated pilgrimage to the ground to pick up some duplicate tickets (the fault of the ticket office or Royal Mail? You decide.)

I couldn't help but raise a smile at the step back in time that constituted Pompey's home ground. The one spiral staircase providing access to the away end certainly brought back some memories, as did the fact that you could see into the local inhabitants' bedrooms behind the stand from where we were sat (not that you'd particularly want to mind). As expected we lined up with a cautious 4-5-1 in an attempt to stifle Portsmouth's creative talent (though it was good to see our own mercurial genius Andy Reid, looking ever the pub player in physical terms, make his first start).

Despite an excellent atmosphere generated by the travelling red and white army, the first half was a complete non-event. Neither side appeared capable of putting more than two passes together. We looked disjointed going forward, with Jones isolated, Leadbitter ineffective in his attempts to support (and, God forbid, get beyond) him and Murphy looking lost on the right wing. Still, all to play for at half time, although, as we all know, we have been in the position of looking comfortable away from home on countless occasions this season before ultimately coming away with nothing.

Pompey looked vaguely threatening at the start of the second half, but were still restricted to a couple of half chances. As the hour mark came and went, it looked like we may actually hold on for a point. There was then a quick break led by Leadbitter who should have squared the ball to the unmarked Murphy, but his dawdling proved costly not only going forward but also at our own end, as from Portsmouth’s resulting break the ball found Kranjcar, who ignored Reid’s invitation to go over in the box before falling theatrically over Bardsley’s outstretched leg for a spot-kick. Defoe, despite some Mockney bizarrely and repeatedly yelling “GORDON!” prior to his taking the kick, made no mistake.

By then it was clear that this game was following an almost identical pattern to Blackburn away on New Years Day, with the Lads looking very comfortable with their game plan before a penalty unexpectedly goes against us and they are left looking at each other scratching their heads with apparently no Plan B up their respective sleeves. The introduction of Chopra, Yorke and Prica had little impact, and somewhat embarrassingly our only “attempt” on target was a block made by Jonny Evans on an attempted clearance which flew into David James’s midriff. More toothless than Shane MacGowan.

Although spirits were (literally and metaphorically) raised in the pub post-match with each United goal that went in as they stuffed Keegan’s returning circus at the landfill, and though the rubber cat did make some friends as the night wore on, consecutive away defeats into double figures isn’t what the huge travelling contingent deserves. Roy’s managerial education continues – fingers crossed he learns swiftly with crucial (and, at least in theory, winnable) away fixtures at Derby and Fulham around the corner and some tough home games on the horizon. Keep the faith.

Final Score: 0-1

ALS Man of the Match: Andy Reid

James Collins

Saturday 2nd February 2008

When the fixture list was announced in June of last year everyone raced to note down the dates, looking for the biggies such as Newcastle at home, Newcastle away, not to mention visits to Old Trafford, the Emirates and, of course, Anfield. So our turn come to play at one of the most historical grounds in the world, against a team that at present was unable to meet the expectations of their traditional home.

Failing to win a league game since Boxing Day is a big thing for a club like Liverpool, yet Anfield seemed more bothered about their American owners than their out of control league form, maybe explaining why the club has recently been on the slide. Unsurprisingly the same gritty Liverpool of late showed up, but this time they came away smiling, possibly because Sunderland showed no desire to attack until it was too late, and maybe also because Rob Stiles was the referee.

Pre-match the debate over the match-fitness of Kieran Richardson echoed around The Arkles pub outside the ground. The common consensus was that he shouldn’t play, for the simple fact that we’d probably lose this one anyway and another week’s rest would enable him to be on top of his game for the far more important encounter against Wigan the following Saturday.

However, Keane decided to play him and within 90 seconds Rico had pulled his hamstring, meaning a week long game plan had gone out the window, and even worse, we’re now without one of our best players for another few weeks. Bad start to say the least.

The first half had little action and with it came few chances. Liverpool couldn’t find any rhythm and we were more than happy to sit back and soak any pressure the home side could muster. We deserved to get beaten, no question about that, but our cause wasn't helped by the poor officiating of - who else but Rob Stiles. The man continues to make error after error, yet it baffles me how he is allowed to continue refereeing in the Premier League.

I rarely criticise referees, I prefer to look at how the team played and leave the moaning to others. However, I feel it is necessary to bring my feelings to the fore on this occasion, for regardless of how well we may/may not have played, the fact of the matter is, at two-nil down we should have been awarded a penalty, and with it a chance to get back into the game. Referees are only human and obviously make mistakes, but what I find puzzling is how there is seemingly one rule for the big four and a completely different rule for everyone else.

The incident in question came when Daryl Murphy fired his shot off the arm of Jamie Carragher. Carragher positioned himself in a way that allowed the goal-bound ball to hit his arm and bounce away to safety, yet Stiles waved play on and refused to acknowledge what happened. This is most interesting when you cast your mind back only a month when the same Rob Stiles awarded Blackburn a penalty against Danny Higginbotham for a very similar offence. So can anyone tell me the reason behind why it wasn't given?

Perhaps Roy Keane knows the answer. After the game he said: “We had Howard Webb at our training ground this week explaining that such a situation would be a penalty, and Rob Styles gave a similar one against Danny Higginbotham at Blackburn. But Rob was demoted for the penalty he gave against Liverpool when they played Chelsea at Anfield and we were never going to get a penalty today.”

Final Score: 0-3

ALS Man of The Match: Craig Gordon

James Henderson

Saturday 19th January 2008

Trips to London always require a substantial degree of money, commitment and sometimes stupidity. After waking from my slumber at the ridiculous time of 5am, I made my way to the SOL for the monstrous journey down south.

We arrived at the ground about an hour before kick-off, meaning I’d already been awake for nine hours, a feat I’ve never managed for donkey’s years. So after taking me nine long boring hours to get there, it took Sunderland just two quick minutes to throw it all away with some schoolboy defending and pitiful organisation. Nosworthy and McShane’s dilly dallying resulted in Young-Pyo Lee charging the ball down, allowing O’Hara to pick out the impressive Berbatov who casually flicked the ball into the path of Aaron Lennon who prodded home. Fantastic start as ever from Sunderland.

As usual rookie defensive mistakes cost us goals at crucial times in games, but as usual the impressive red and white away support continued to back The Lads, hoping they could trigger a response and with it a way back into the game.

But this response came at a price for Anthony Stokes. He was hauled off only 30 minutes in, with his display topping the bunch of poor performers in the side. However, credit must be given to Daryl Murphy, who followed up his impressive display against Pompey with an equally dangerous and encouraging shift on the left-wing. Right-back Stalteri struggled to handle him (like he did two years ago) which gave Ramos no choice but to introduce the rested Chimbonda, who also had no answer to the Irishman’s strength and power, as he barged his way down the touchline all afternoon.

The second half saw a Sunderland turn around, we were a completely different side after realising Tottenham possess a dodgy back four and with only a goal separating the teams, we had every chance. Murphy should have levelled the scores within minutes of the re-start, unsurprisingly shrugging off Stalteri only to curl wide when it was easier to score.

Our travelling army of fans thought the equaliser had come when Kenwyne Jones neatly diverted the ball into the net, only for it to be rightly ruled offside. Everyone could sense a leveller brewing, but as ever we lacked a cutting edge and continued to rue our chances.

Danny Collins of all people saw his header cleared off the line, before Michael Chopra wasted the best chance of the game, failing to connect from five yards with Cerny on the deck and the goal gaping. Bad craic.

As the clock ticked Liam Miller forced a superb point black range save from Cerny as it looked like we would leave White Hart Lane empty handed. And we did. Robbie Keane broke clear and drove the ball under Craig Gordon into the net, bollocks. It was a cruel finish to the game for Sunderland, despite our poor start we fought back and showed encouraging signs that we can take into the remainder of the season.

All in all I left the ground feeling disappointed but at the same time content (if that can happen?). I was impressed by our ability to cut Tottenham open at will but concerned at our defensive mistakes and inability to convert chances. After arriving back at the SOL around midnight I looked at the night sky, then the stadium and thought to myself, we’ll be fine.

Final Score: 0-2

ALS Man of the Match: Liam Miller

James Henderson