Appy not happy with defending

Pompey`s five game unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt last night at the Lamex Stadium home of Stevenage Borough where they slipped to a 2-1 defeat. Boss Michael Appleton was far from happy with the defending for both goals.

Appleton told the clubs official site: "The first half wasn`t particularly great. We didn`t come out of the traps quickly enough, although we probably had the better chances.

"I was happier with the performance in the second half - we moved the ball a bit quicker. We created quite a few chances before we got the equaliser, but then lost to a poor, poor goal.

"There weren`t enough people taking control of the situation. There was an aimless ball that we should have dealt with and I`m more annoyed with that than anything. It`s difficult to take losing games of football when you create more opportunities than the opposition on their own patch.

"I asked Mikkel Andersen how many saves he had to make and I think it was just one with his foot in the second half - that says it all.

"We`d rather play poorly and win a game of football than play well and lose, so it was a frustrating game. I don`t mind losing a game of football, but I do mind losing the way we did."

Appleton was also left cursing a rare off night for his potent strike partnership of Izale McLeod and Wes Thomas.

He said: "Those two are a threat and can be devastating on their day, but it just didn`t happen for them on this occasion. Wes had two or three golden opportunities and I`m sure he`ll want to make up for not taking them at Sheffield United."

Pompey now head to Sheffield United on Monday night (live on Sky) without skipper Brian Howard who picked up his fifth booking. I presume Akos Buzsacy will take over the midfield general role one which he often in recent games appears to have been fighting Howard for, with the two often getting in each others way.

PUP

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