So Pompey’s new era began…but not in quite the fashion everyone in Portsmouth had hoped for. Like a skilled old boxing pro Oxford United essentially rolled with the flurry of punches on the ropes from a spirited and new Pompey team for the first 25mins or so.

Oxford even gave ground by conceding to an excellent Patrick Agyemang headed goal but struck back to maximum effect and killer timing by exploiting some terrible individual defensive errors. Throw in — from where I was sitting — a controversial sending off of our captain and dominant centre midfielder Johnny Ertl and it was game over even before their third goal minutes later. The fourth, another individual error, barely registered as Pompey, by now ragged and chasing, were left wondering what could have been.

It all started so brightly too. Huge fan expectation, feel good factor everywhere and the sun shone. Programme sellers beer kiosks were literally selling out as fans basked in the joy of at last owning their own club.

Pompey started so brightly too. The new look team appeared at the races. Nice passing to feet, probing, movement, everyone looking confident on the ball; then after 25 minutes the breakthrough. Some neat touches set Andy Barcham scampering down the left. Gaining a yard on the right back he cut a great cross for big Patrick Agemang to slam a header in to the bottom corner at the Milton End. Cue wild celebrations.

1-0 Pompey and it felt like the script had truly been written for a perfect day. Sadly for Pompey a few of the players seemed to think that too and noticeably Pompey’s concentration slipped. Oxford decided to step up a gear and within minutes Dan Butler was well and truly done by Man of the Match Alfie Potter. Potter teased Butler in to getting too close and a half hearted ‘waved leg’ by Butler left him a spectator as the Oxford playmaker tore past him. A neat cut back and tidy finish by Smalley saw Oxford equalise.

The Fratton faithful, as is customary, remained upbeat and roared the Blues on only for another catastrophic individual error to leave the Chimes stuck in the throat a mere four minutes later. This time right back Moutaoukil was the villain. Not strong enough he was beaten too easily and allowed a cross which picked out Potter in oceans of space inside the 18 yard box. He slotted home expertly and Oxford were 2-1 up. Pompey’s chins were on their chests as they headed down the tunnel for half time.

I’m sure Guy Whittingham would have said in the break something along the lines of ‘Remain patient’, ‘Don’t do anything stupid it will come’….if he did nobody was listening as the game became effectively over when Ertl was sent off in the 58th minute. Jumping for a 50/50 in the centre circle he caught Oxford’s Danny Rose who crumpled to the floor. The ref who was refreshingly conspicuous by his absence up until then suddenly took centre stage brandishing a straight red card. As Ertl trudged off the field so did any realistic hope of a Pompey fight back. And if there was any scrap of doubt in that Oxford made sure the by smashing in a third goal by - you guessed it — Potter on 64 minutes…and it really was game over.

A fourth was despatched by Smalley on 72 minutes after yet another Pompey defensive error. Not that it mattered much as the points had long since gone.

A new era and yet a familiar losing feeling at Fratton, but to quote an overused cliché ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’. Pompey fans have to remind themselves of the positives. This is a very young team of free transfers playing together in League 2 for the first time. Oxford United are no mugs. They have a better team, bigger player budget and were there or thereabouts last season. Pompey will get better but they need to learn fast.

They showed enough promise today to give the more realistic, fair minded fans hope. But let’s judge later. Another ten games in this league and we will all have a much better idea where this Pompey teams aspirations truly lie this season.

Photo: Action Images

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