Boo's Understandable

Fifth in the Premier League and yet booed off at The Valley. A bit extreme you may think but if you analyse thing’s I don’t believe it’s that outrageous. As one of those lucky enough to have seen every game so far this season I feel ecstatic about the start we have made. I’d have taken 16 points from 24 if offered that at the start of the season. However, like the guy’s behind me at The Valley, if you have only witnessed the home games then you may feel entitled to be a tad unhappy. After all you pay your 500-odd quid to see the team perform at The Valley and whilst happy that we are performing so well away from home given the choice you’d rather we picked up the majority of our points at The Valley. A win over Wigan, eventual capitulation against Chelsea, dejection at throwing away a two goal advantage over Spurs and a stuttering performance against Fulham have left you feeling slightly cheated. The problem is this follows on from an appalling second half of the season last term at The Valley that has now seen us win just two of the last ten Premier League games at The Valley, drawing three and losing five of the others; nine points out of a possible thirty. Admittedly, the football we are witnessing this season is far more exciting than that of last but football is ultimately a results game and at the moment the ’home’ fans are not seeing the right results.

Equally concerning is our inability to come back from deficits. Spurs were two down at The Valley and yet rallied to win. When was the last time we came back from behind to win a Premier League game. Well, away from home it was the season before last when, a goal down with a quarter of an hour to play at Fratton Park, Paolo di Canio entered the fray and inspired his colleagues to an unlikely 2-1 win over Pompey. The last time this feat occurred at The Valley was erm, ah, erm ….. no, sorry I can’t remember. At least 24 games ago and at a guess nearer 30, perhaps 35. Anyone with the answer please let me know.

Before you all get too bored and check out All Quiet instead a few final points. Firstly, Jon Spector must replace Chrissy Powell at Portsmouth this Saturday either as a direct replacement at left-back or at centre-half allowing Hermann to revert to the full back spot. Chris has performed admirably but eight straight games has, in my opinion, been two too many and now is the time for a change. I prefer Spector to El Karkouri for two reasons. He was our best defender in pre-season and would have started the season but for an untimely injury. Secondly, El Karkouri is for me too reckless and prone to conceding unnecessary free kicks. His challenge after just coming on against Fulham showed that he is more a liability than an asset. I hope we continue with 4-5-1 and believe that if we had stuck with it against Fulham after equalizing then we would have gone on to win the game. The changes made lost us our width and meant Rommerdahl was as ineffective on the left as he was brilliant on the right. Ambrose could possibly replace Thomas but he’ll probably have to settle for a place on the bench.

If only we had an alternative to Kish, we’d be bloody brilliant then ……

And finally, a few words for Mr Simon Jordan; Seagulls, Seagulls, Seagulls, Seagulls. As a certain Chairman would say ‘ETCYT’ - you’re gonna be a long while in it !!