No Defence for Fish

Well, just when I thought it couldn’t get much worse it nearly did. After the West Brom debacle I thought that, on reflection, it was just one of those games and we couldn’t be that poor again. How wrong can you be. Against West Brom there were some extenuating circumstances but against Man City there can be no excuses. When Curbs says we made them look like Brazil he is right but he is the one who both selects the team and then sends it out onto the pitch and so he too should be prepared to shoulder much of the blame. For starters, what was Fish doing in the team. He was awful against West Brom, preferred then over Chris Perry who was outstanding three days earlier against Spurs, and now paired with Perry for the first time this season. After ten minutes anyone could see that he was well off the pace and needed replacing straight away. Curbs was lucky that half-time arrived with us only 2-1 behind because Fish was exposed time and again and only the wayward finishing of Macken, combined with the heroics of Deano, gave us a glimmer of hope. The fact he made two half-time substitutions shows exactly how poor we were.

Although he was awful it is only fair to point out that Fish wasn’t the only culprit but it was evident his ineptness affected the whole of the back four leading to bad first half performances from both HH and Perry. The introduction of Fortune at the break lead to a solid rearguard performance in the second half. Jeffers replaced the ineffectual JJ and had a good half in a 4-4-2 formation. The second half performance was an improvement but a last ditch Perry goal gave us an undeserved draw and in my opinion saved the blushes of the manager more than that of the players.

Each of the last few seasons we have fallen away at the last hurdle and each season we hear the same old excuses. Well, enough is enough. It is high time that Curbs found a way of motivating his players although why the chance of Uefa Cup competition isn’t enough motivation in itself is beyond me. We deserve more than this end of season capitulation and it doesn’t help when it comes at the same time as a sizeable season ticket rise for next season and a drive by the Club for fans to renew early. The team are hardly encouraging that are they ? I watch for news of renewal numbers with interest.

Let’s hope that the 1,700 yellow shirted fans going to Pompey are rewarded with a performance of which we can be proud and a result with which we are happy.

Finally, thanks to All Quiet In The East Stand for bringing to our attention the XXX Rated Charlton Lass (link removed in the interest of decency I'm afraid), strictly for over eighteen’s only. If anyone recognises her then ask her to stop, please !