Our new worst enemies, Pompey, came to Sunderland still trying to recover from the excesses of the Kenny Jackett era (according to their fans), with us having revenge on our minds after that nonsense in the rain last October. A game that still sends damp shivers down my spine, and one that we didn't quite avenge but got the all-important three points. At least they've got rid of that pest Marquis, which proved costly for them this afternoon as they struggled, and failed, to make anything of their possession in our half.
As it’s January, nearly all the chat has been about the transfer window. So far, Paddy Almond (the world’s oldest teenager) has gone to Blyth on loan, while Ollie Younger has been permanently defenestrated, signing for rivals Doncaster. A strange one, as he’d looked canny in the Papa John’s games he’s played both in the centre and on the left of defence. As two defenders went out, two came in – Trai Hume, a highly-rated young Ulsterman from Linfield (thanks to former Lads David Healy and George McCartney, manager and coach respectively) and Danny Batth from Stoke. I can understand my not having previously heard of the former, but the latter has played over 400 games in the last thirteen years for Wolves, Stoke, and even Boro, somehow managing to avoid playing against us. Also arriving, just yesterday, is Patrick Roberts, who I do remember from his time at Boro when he was on loan from Man City. We appear to have done a clever deal of six months initially with the option to extend thereafter.
Three in, and it’s not yet the last days of the window - how very un-Sunderland. Of course, media speculation has focused on Jermain Defoe since his departure from Rangers and his expressed desire to keep playing. However, while a return would be a no-brainer emotionally, financially it’s a lot more complicated as there’s no chance of us paying whatever Rangers were. On the other hand, he was paid a stupid amount by Bournemouth for a year and a half but wasn’t a regular player despite being by far their best striker. Perhaps he’s not doing it for the money, as he’s got plenty, although our gaffer has quite rightly said that any deal would have to suit both parties. Speaking of people worth a few bob, and transfers, here’s a question. If you had £1,000 in your pocket and were asked for 1% of it to get us promoted, would you happily hand over the tenner? Assuming the answer’s a resounding “yes”, I wonder if KLD can find a way, within the rules of FFP (or whatever acronym applies these days) to chucking 1% of his alleged worth into a transfer kitty. £15 million could go an awful long way in this division. Look, I know it’s not a straightforward as that, but at some point the money has to start flowing...hasn’t it?
On the good news front, John McPhail is out of hospital. Get well soon, Monty.
Hoffmann
Doyle Flanagan Batth (the 1,118th player to appear for us)
Gooch Evans Neil Cirkin
Dajaku Embleton
Stewart
..at least that's where I thought they'd line up, with a bench of Patterson, Kimpioka, O'Brien, Winchester, Diamond, Hume (T), and Xhemalji.
We kicked off south, but quickly conceded possession and Portsmouth piled on top of us. We were under the cosh for opening period, with the awful state of the pitch not helping. The first corner of the afternoon went to Pompey on 13 minutes, followed quickly by another that Gooch did well to defend at the back post.
After all that pressure, albeit without Hoff having a shot to save, our first decent attack almost brought a goal on 20 minutes as we couldn't quite get a clean strike away as the visiting defence were all over the shop.
We really needed to mix it up, and to try going long from the back on occasion instead of persisting with the tappy-lappy:stuff across the defence - although new boy Batth was more than happy to invoke his inner Stoke and hoof it clear.
On 27 minutes, Flan and Hoff ignored each other, and we were lucky that all the visitors got was a corner, which we cleared. A few minutes later a great cross from right was just out of reach of our man at the back post, and on 33 their right back was robbed as the ball git stuck under his feet. Unfortunately, Dajaku shot instead of squaring it, and the ball rolled across the goal and wide. That meant that we'd had the two best chances despite being decidedly second best in terms of possession.
The ref overturned a Pompey throw for time wasting on 37 minutes, and we tried to break down the right but couldn't quite manage it. There was a clever free kick routine after foul on Neil, which ended with a save by their keeper, but a minute later Embo raced into the left side of the box and planted it firmly across the keeper and in. The claggy pitch helped, with their right back being caught out again and basically passing it to Stewart who set up the chance on 40 minutes.
One added minute was announced, and I suppose we were fortunate to be ahead, really, after the way we'd (not) played in the opening half hour. Having said that, the only people who'd troubled our keeper were our defence, despite the amount of time Pompey had spent in our half, basically forcing us into a flat back five.
The halftime draw was done by Whacky Jackie Ashurst ( four goals in 166 games) and I didn't win. Again. Perhaps I should try buying a ticket.
There were no changes for the second half, apart from our attitude, which had us spending much more time in the opposition's half. Ten minutes in, Dajaku did well on the left and played it central to Neil, who shot wide of the keeper's left hand post.
Two Pompey subs arrived on 70, including David Hirst's son, who, thankfully wasn't as much of a bustling nuisance as his dad. There was a yellow for their hapless right back soon after as he was caught in possession yet again, but we couldn't convert the free kick.
On 75 Batth hurt himself in a challenge, but was back up after treatment to shore up the defence. The third Pompey sub arrived soon after, and at last Hoff had a save to make, fielding a shot from distance that was straight at him. That Batth stoppage had seemed to disturb our flow, for a while, but Pompey were pretty rubbish at turning attack into shots. On 81 Embo made way for Winchester, which seemed a sensible move although another goal would have been nice. We spent most of the time thereafter trying to hit them on the break while comfortably halt ING their attacks, and on 87 Dajaku made way for O'Brien.
There was a Pompeii corner on 88 minutes when Batth caught in two minds and could only knock it behind, but Hoff was there and we got it away. O'Brien was doing a good job of holding the ball up in their half, and caused them a few problems our in our left. Five added minutes were announced, which we played out in the style we'd adopted in the latter stages. Naturally, with only the single goal advantage, I was nervous of a Pompey equaliser, but fortunately their front players were as impotent as a neutered cat.
1-0, three points, happy days. It was scrappy, it lacked sustained fluidity, but it's a win and that's the most important thing. Despite the presence of Mrs Henderson of Hartlepool, 5-0 (the score on her previous two attendances) was never on the cards.
Man of the Match? I liked the no nonsense approach of Batth, I liked the work of Stewart, but I think I'll give it to Doyle, who topped off a good defensive display with a me good work in getting the ball forward in the second period.
