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Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Saturday April 11 2009
Time: 11:19PM
UK time is: 22:44:13
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Hart on Pompey's draw with West Brom
I came away from Fratton bitterly disappointed with the 2-2 draw with West Brom, to me it felt like a defeat, and to be honest I am still disappointed right now - I am not sure this will change until next weekend, even then I think we need a win for this - and that in theory should be even harder than it 'should' have been against West Brom!
Well, these are Paul Hart's thoughts after the game, with some of my own too...
Hart on us not playing 'particularly well'
'I don't think we played particularly well today, and I thought West Brom played with a freedom that their position allows them to while not trying to take anything away from them.'
With all due respect to West Brom, who do play some good football, they were made to look better than they actually are - we were the home side, surely as such we should have taken the game to them, not the other way round?
Hart on our 'different qualities'
'We showed different qualities, we had a lot of resilience when things weren't going well and we knew we weren't playing well but we stuck in there.'
Right, the managers job is to change things when they are not going well right?
It was clear to see this was the case so why was Hart not making any changes? He never looked like showing any signs of doing this either, other than the bringing on of Nadir Belhadj - even then should we not have gone with 2 up top at that point, but it was so predictable who this would be for...
Hart on Kaboul and Kranjcar's goals
'Younes Kaboul is now become a raiding full-back and it's textbook - going past two or three men and then got in the box and a left-foot screamer - fantastic.
'And the second one, the free-kick, it takes a lot of courage at that stage of the game to come up and take one and it was perfect.'
They were 2 fantastic goals, but other than those goals the criminal thing is we did not seriously threaten the West Brom goal again - we had chances, which we created, but none really went close and none really tested Scott Carson did they.
My own final thoughts
Maybe I am still bitterly disappointed by today's showing so I should have maybe waited and gave it a little more thought? But some 6-hours or so after the game I am still thinking the same things, so cannot wait any longer...
Ok, a point puts us closer to safety, but 3pts would have put us even closer - this was a game we needed to win. I still think we will stay up, but if not this could be a game, like many others this season, but more so we look back to with regrets. The game was there for the taking if we showed more invention - I seem to be saying this a lot recently...
Had this been an away game I could have understood much more why we set-up as we did, and why we used the personnel we did - surely Angelos Basinas should have played some part in the game, well started the game? For all intent and purpose we played with 6 at the back, as Richard Hughes and Hayden Mullins were nowhere to be seen in the 'midfield' - they may as well as played as another pair of central defenders!
We seem to be showing a case of 'history repeating itself' as all players were said to be behind Tony Adams to start with, happy with his appointment and then after a few games when they did not like his methods or style they changed, this is just one game so it might be too early to say this but I worry it is happening again under Paul Hart? As the happy thoughts did not look so happy today with some clearly not amused with the tactics employed - and this 'might', if it carries on, force some towards the exit door that might not have been looking to go that way...
Yep, we need to ensure we stay in the premier league at the end of this season as going down would spell huge financial problems to us, and doing this however we can is something we must do - but we are playing a dangerous game with the way we are going about looking to get to safety. Hart could redeem himself next weekend, but I suspect it will be the same tactics, and just about the same players too that line-up against Bolton?
As I say, I still think we will stay up, but we are making it a hell of a lot tougher than I think we need to be as games coming up are, in theory, much harder than the ones we have just had - games that we surely should have looked for more 'maximum returns' to have been near on safe by now...
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Your Comments
Rug can't fault what you've said. At the risk of sounding politically incorrect, the guy is tactically retarded and doesn't make key decision when they are needed. We could've had all three points today, West Brom have shown ALL SEASON that they crack under pressure. Bringing on Gekas/Basinas with plenty of time left would have produced a goal and it seems that everyone in the poxy ground knew that except Hart!! Sorry for the rant, but it's frustrating because it's happened so much this season!!
PFCGino
Rug can't fault what you've said. At the risk of sounding politically incorrect, the guy is tactically retarded and doesn't make key decision when they are needed. We could've had all three points today, West Brom have shown ALL SEASON that they crack under pressure. Bringing on Gekas/Basinas with plenty of time left would have produced a goal and it seems that everyone in the poxy ground knew that except Hart!! Sorry for the rant, but it's frustrating because it's happened so much this season!!
PFCGino
Gotta agree with you both there guys. Thing is, every body was saying the same, and every body was saying the same at Hull. Still, all will be forgiven at the end of the season when we STAY UP!
pompey4me
Gotta agree with you both there guys. Thing is, every body was saying the same, and every body was saying the same at Hull. Still, all will be forgiven at the end of the season when we STAY UP!
pompey4me
Simon with you on that but there is a long way to go. We need to become unpredictable, the 4-5-1 is too rigid and Crouch gets no support when he needs it.
eastneydave
Simon with you on that but there is a long way to go. We need to become unpredictable, the 4-5-1 is too rigid and Crouch gets no support when he needs it.
eastneydave
Everyone keeps on saying we will stay up. How the hell can we stay up when we don't seem to be getting enough points? Also, the team now seem to be beginning to be disillusioned with Hart as they were with TA.
Gandor1
Everyone keeps on saying we will stay up. How the hell can we stay up when we don't seem to be getting enough points? Also, the team now seem to be beginning to be disillusioned with Hart as they were with TA.
Gandor1
The fact that Crouch seemed to be nowhere in some of our recent matches, because he has been given no support, against West Brom, he should have been better because Niko did play a great game. However, a 4-5-1 tactic (which I believe in) should have strong wings. What about playing Pennant on the left hand side of midfield and Johson on the right next week? I am very sorry to see Nugent fading away, but surely, he should lose his place now. I was also surprised how Basinas did not play, especially when Davis is not in the pitch. Hughes was too deep, and I am not sure that this was Hart's idea. The lad simply cannot go forward. It is his football. We have seen this in the past, haven't we?
Pompey Malta
The fact that Crouch seemed to be nowhere in some of our recent matches, because he has been given no support, against West Brom, he should have been better because Niko did play a great game. However, a 4-5-1 tactic (which I believe in) should have strong wings. What about playing Pennant on the left hand side of midfield and Johson on the right next week? I am very sorry to see Nugent fading away, but surely, he should lose his place now. I was also surprised how Basinas did not play, especially when Davis is not in the pitch. Hughes was too deep, and I am not sure that this was Hart's idea. The lad simply cannot go forward. It is his football. We have seen this in the past, haven't we?
Pompey Malta
We might have moved up two places today but we are in the same position as we were before we started: 4 points above the drop zone - You all know my feelings on Paul Hart as a manager and although I still think we will stay up and I worried that he will get appointed in the summer as 'the cheap option'.. his interview on the Quay after the game suggested that next week will see the same thing ... He's as stubborn as a mule and can not see what is in front of him .. Stoke, Newcastle, Hull, Sunderland WBA & Boro all went for it yesterday and 'tried' to win their games ... We didn't, we surrendered the midfield (even with five in it) and defended from the first minute - We may have scored two goals but neither were down to our tactics - Had it not have been for two flashes of brilliance from the best two players in blue we would have left Fratton Park POINTLESS .. just like Paul Hart's tactics - The sooner this season is over the better
Chix
We might have moved up two places today but we are in the same position as we were before we started: 4 points above the drop zone - You all know my feelings on Paul Hart as a manager and although I still think we will stay up and I worried that he will get appointed in the summer as 'the cheap option'.. his interview on the Quay after the game suggested that next week will see the same thing ... He's as stubborn as a mule and can not see what is in front of him .. Stoke, Newcastle, Hull, Sunderland WBA & Boro all went for it yesterday and 'tried' to win their games ... We didn't, we surrendered the midfield (even with five in it) and defended from the first minute - We may have scored two goals but neither were down to our tactics - Had it not have been for two flashes of brilliance from the best two players in blue we would have left Fratton Park POINTLESS .. just like Paul Hart's tactics - The sooner this season is over the better
Chix
Excellent article Rug, I agree with every word you say. This playing safe has gone too far. Isn't there an expression about the man who never took a risk never did anything, or something. And how much of a risk is being at home against West Brom? When you're in a relegation scrap you have to fight for every point you can get, that means winning matches, you get 3 points for that. We've got 7 games left, take out Arsenal and Manyoo, leaves 5. If we draw them all that's only 39 points. Gandor is right, we could still go down like this.
tracyc
Excellent article Rug, I agree with every word you say. This playing safe has gone too far. Isn't there an expression about the man who never took a risk never did anything, or something. And how much of a risk is being at home against West Brom? When you're in a relegation scrap you have to fight for every point you can get, that means winning matches, you get 3 points for that. We've got 7 games left, take out Arsenal and Manyoo, leaves 5. If we draw them all that's only 39 points. Gandor is right, we could still go down like this.
tracyc
You said it Chix, Hart is as stubborn as a mule. There is no creativity. We cannot go on playing like this, it's POINTLESS!! I'm convinced now that Hart has an attitude problem with Basinas and Gekas. There is no other reason that these two players are not being included in the team. The Gekas reserve thing was a total load of *********, bloody hell the guy's an international with a solid record. I'm so angry but heh...I'm just a fan.
cornypomp
You said it Chix, Hart is as stubborn as a mule. There is no creativity. We cannot go on playing like this, it's POINTLESS!! I'm convinced now that Hart has an attitude problem with Basinas and Gekas. There is no other reason that these two players are not being included in the team. The Gekas reserve thing was a total load of *********, bloody hell the guy's an international with a solid record. I'm so angry but heh...I'm just a fan.
cornypomp
It's absolutely amazing to see Hart so feckin' clueless!! Totally unbelievable.
PFCGino
It's absolutely amazing to see Hart so feckin' clueless!! Totally unbelievable.
PFCGino
Appoint vital pompey as caretaker managers we all seem to agree, draws against the likes of bora, hull, & now west brom is not good enough, we should be safe by now, Hughes was behind Distan most of the game, put Hart back to the youth set up at the end of the season.
pompeyyong
Appoint vital pompey as caretaker managers we all seem to agree, draws against the likes of bora, hull, & now west brom is not good enough, we should be safe by now, Hughes was behind Distan most of the game, put Hart back to the youth set up at the end of the season.
pompeyyong
So his priority is staying up regardless of what it looks like to watch. As if you have to make a choice between winning and looking attractive. I can see from his point of view that he wants to guarantee premiership football next season but us poor mugs who fork our money for entertainment need something a bit extra. You don't need to play ugly to stay safe, Hart. Bring on the Greeks!
hammersmithblue
So his priority is staying up regardless of what it looks like to watch. As if you have to make a choice between winning and looking attractive. I can see from his point of view that he wants to guarantee premiership football next season but us poor mugs who fork our money for entertainment need something a bit extra. You don't need to play ugly to stay safe, Hart. Bring on the Greeks!
hammersmithblue
And did anyone see him on Goals on Sunday today? Monotonous and boring, just like the way the team plays. Mr Motivational he is not. Let's hope we stay up and he goes back to the academy. Roll on 2009/10
UKTony
And did anyone see him on Goals on Sunday today? Monotonous and boring, just like the way the team plays. Mr Motivational he is not. Let's hope we stay up and he goes back to the academy. Roll on 2009/10
UKTony
"So his priority is staying up regardless of what it looks like to watch." - Yes, very true, but we're not "staying up", we're being kept up by the other teams below us losing points hand over fist too. If we were grinding out results then I wouldn't care what it looks like but we're not getting results. I do still think we'll stay up, but only because I can't see Newcastle, Boro or WBA getting out of the bottom three. If any of them - particularly Newcastle or Boro puts together a string of results, we're in deep kimchi.
PhilTaglia
"So his priority is staying up regardless of what it looks like to watch." - Yes, very true, but we're not "staying up", we're being kept up by the other teams below us losing points hand over fist too. If we were grinding out results then I wouldn't care what it looks like but we're not getting results. I do still think we'll stay up, but only because I can't see Newcastle, Boro or WBA getting out of the bottom three. If any of them - particularly Newcastle or Boro puts together a string of results, we're in deep kimchi.
PhilTaglia
So easy to be a manager isn't it? All you guys know all about tactics and which subs to bring on etc. Strange then that under Adams, a top class international footballer in his day, we were in the relegation zone and headed for the Championship! Perhaps it's not as easy as it looks then? Hart has been in charge for 7 matches, only one defeat and that against Chelsea and the poor bloke is still getting all this stick? Unbelievable!!! Personally I don't care if he builds a brick wall in front of our goal as long as we stay up!
Pompey Half Pint
So easy to be a manager isn't it? All you guys know all about tactics and which subs to bring on etc. Strange then that under Adams, a top class international footballer in his day, we were in the relegation zone and headed for the Championship! Perhaps it's not as easy as it looks then? Hart has been in charge for 7 matches, only one defeat and that against Chelsea and the poor bloke is still getting all this stick? Unbelievable!!! Personally I don't care if he builds a brick wall in front of our goal as long as we stay up!
Pompey Half Pint
The sort of commentators you get on Sky's Sunday Supplement (the out of condition but nevertheless highly experienced journos) are not mentioning Pompey as likely relegation candidates. I know that's nothing on which to bet the mortgage or anything but nevertheless I suppose if we keep grinding out a point a game and not taking three points of West "Crap" Brom (with all due respect) then I for one will not be relaxing the old buttocks for some time.
hammersmithblue
The sort of commentators you get on Sky's Sunday Supplement (the out of condition but nevertheless highly experienced journos) are not mentioning Pompey as likely relegation candidates. I know that's nothing on which to bet the mortgage or anything but nevertheless I suppose if we keep grinding out a point a game and not taking three points of West "Crap" Brom (with all due respect) then I for one will not be relaxing the old buttocks for some time.
hammersmithblue
Might not be mentioning us as Relegation Candidates, but some are still laying into Pompey for some unknown reason *Ahem* SSN *Ahem*. Those people make me angry! Hart has done a great job for us, and i hope he contiunes the way he is until the end of the season. Unlike poor old Tony Adams, who i thought wore his heart on his sleeve, which is never a good thing as a Top Flight Manager! Play Up Pompey!
.Andrew.
Might not be mentioning us as Relegation Candidates, but some are still laying into Pompey for some unknown reason *Ahem* SSN *Ahem*. Those people make me angry! Hart has done a great job for us, and i hope he contiunes the way he is until the end of the season. Unlike poor old Tony Adams, who i thought wore his heart on his sleeve, which is never a good thing as a Top Flight Manager! Play Up Pompey!
.Andrew.
It was disappointing not to win, but firstly at 1-2 down I would have taken a point, and secondly don't forget that Waest Brom are fighting for their lives too. There are no gimmees in this league, every point has to be earnt. If we beat Bolton, the smiles will be put back on our faces.
pompeygray
It was disappointing not to win, but firstly at 1-2 down I would have taken a point, and secondly don't forget that Waest Brom are fighting for their lives too. There are no gimmees in this league, every point has to be earnt. If we beat Bolton, the smiles will be put back on our faces.
pompeygray
It's Tuesday and I am still in a mood over this result. I don't have time to vent my rage as work is too busy! Grrrrrrr.
sneakay
It's Tuesday and I am still in a mood over this result. I don't have time to vent my rage as work is too busy! Grrrrrrr.
sneakay
An awful result against an awful team. What hope with the toughies we we can't win the easiest of them all. What the fck was the point
storagematt
An awful result against an awful team. What hope with the toughies we we can't win the easiest of them all. What the fck was the point
storagematt
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