x

Southampton At Crystal Palace The Verdict

It was another game of two halves for Saints, but despite a lot better showing in the second half than the first, Saints couldn't take their chances and get something out of a game that they really needed to and really should have.

I don't know why but this season Saints seem to be able to take points from the higher sides like Chelsea & Arsenal, but then follow that up by losing games narrowly against side around them that they really should do better in.

This was a game where not many could have a gripe with the side put out by Ralph Hasenhuttl, but it was a side who seemed to play with little motivation, gone was the urgency of the previous week and where against Arsenal you always thought that after a dodgy opening spell we could get something out of the game, the belief didn't appear to be there in this one.

The stats went in Saints favour, 56% possession, 14 attempts on goal opposed to 12 by the home side and 4 on target compared to 3by Palace, but the only stat that mattered was goals scored.

Second half we revived a little and were the better side, but we couldn't seem to finish, Che Adams failing to take a couple of good chances and Stuart Armstrong hitting the post.

The good news is that hopefully when we take on Newcastle then we will have players back, Romeo Lavia completed 45 minutes against Middlesbrough in the B team and we could do with him back to release James Ward Prowse to a more forward role, that could bode well for the final two games before the World Cup break.

We can't say in this game it was about creating chances, it was about taking them, we have to do better, goals change games, if we had got one back second half we could have gone on to win this game, but truth is we didn't.

This is a side with potential, but it needs a striker, I think the problem here is the chopping and changing, Che Adams needs support, Adam Armstrong has come under pressure from some, but he is playing out of position , for my money give him the opportunity up front with Che Adams, he could score goals in the Championship, give him a chance now in the Premier, we have nothing to lose, goalscorers get goals at any level.

The job now is to get through to the break in two weeks time not in the bottom three, I am confident that come January with all the injured players back and with the addition of a striker we can move upwards, but firstly we need to get some points that keep us out of the bottom three for at least six weeks in the World Cup break.

Again a disappointing result, the real frustration being our inability to beat the sides around us, but not only that, to lose yet again by only a single goal.

What to read next:

Hanging in there - and attacking the game: Mousinho's Pompey message ahead of Ipswich clash
Many Pompey fans are fearing the worst as the Blues gear up to take on in-form Ipswich at Fratton Park on Sunday - but boss John Mousinho is putting a brave face on the prospect of the clash.
Portsmouth 1 - 1 Queens Park Rangers - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Play forward with purpose - what Mousinho wants to see more of after Pompey's draw at Derby
John Mousinho liked what he saw as Pompey claimed a well-deserved point from rheir visit to Derby.
We can't feel sorry for ourselves - Mousinho message to Pompey strugglers ahead of Blackburn clash
John Mousinho says making wholesale team changes can be 'over the top' - and has indicated he does not want to do that when Pompey host Blackburn in what feels like a must-win game on Saturday.
Swansea City 1 - 0 Portsmouth - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Pompey fans' moans and groans are understandable - so can team silence them?
John Mousinho says some 'moans and groans' from fans are underatandable as Pompey struggle for results and form - so now he wants his team to halt such reactions by getting back on the right Championship path.
Win your individual battles - the message to Pompey players ahead of Bristol City clash
Win your battles - it's what Pompey fans will be demanding of those selected to face Bristol City this weekend - and it's what John Mousinho will be telling each man in blue too.
Portsmouth 3 - 1 Millwall - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Key Pompey trio ready to return - but which of them will walk into starting line-up?
John Mousinho is set to have three key members of his squad available after injury when Pompey entertain Millwall on Saturday - but are all three guaranteed starts?
'Not going to be too negative' - Pack looks on Pompey's bright side
Marlon Pack has played more of a role in Pompey's season so far than many thought he would - and his intention is to carry on being at the centre of things, literally.