To tabte points.
Et flot indhop fra Callum Lang efterfulgt af alt andet end flot forsvarsspil betød to tabte points da det endte 2-2– mellem Oxford United og Pompey. Da det var aftenens eneste kamp i League One skete der ingen forskydninger i tabellen, hvor vi fortsat er etter nu med tre points ned til Bolton, der til gengæld også har spillet hele tre kampe færre end os.
Som den eneste ændring i startelleveren fik Marlon Pack sin plads på holdet tilbage da han før kampen blev vurderet klar til at spille. Det gik ud over Tom Lowery, om end han kun kom til at varme bænken i små 34 minutter inden han måtte afløse en skadet Joe Morrell.
Den officielle kamprapport
Eftertanken
Når man indkasserer udligningen så sent i kampen kan det ikke betragtes som andet end to tabte points uanset at pointdelingen, set over hele kampen, reelt var et fair resultat. Det betyder nemlig, at både Bolton og Peterborough nu ligger til at overhale os i toppen af rækken, hvis det altså ikke er for den gamle visdom, at det er bedre at have points på kontoen end potentielt at have dem. Når modstanderne har kampe i baghånden betyder det samtidig, at deres kampprogram på et tidspunkt vil være mere sammenpresset end vores. Her er det ikke uvæsentligt at Peterborough også tirsdag aften avancerede til semifinalerne i EFL Trophy, for så langt fremme i turneringen med en mulig tur til Wembley i udsigt, bliver The Posh nødt til at tage den kamp alvorligt.
Tilbage til vores egen kamp så er et point hos Oxford isoleret set ikke et dårligt resultat, og vi kom altså ud af en periode med tre udekampe på stribe med syv points. Det er alt andet end dårligt. Vender vi blikket lidt fremad så venter der os et på papiret rimelig nådigt program i februar fraset rosinen i pølseenden når vi i månedens sidste kamp skal til The Valley og møde Charlton, hvor vi traditionelt har det svært.
Kommentarer fra John Mousinho
“You can break the game down into three stages – I thought we were poor in the first half and then really good for most of the second. We were on the front foot and deserved to be leading, only for six minutes of madness right at the end. Conceding that equaliser was so unlike us, but even after that, we didn’t do the right things and made poor decisions. All the pressure had been building and building on Oxford, we got ahead and then we just threw it away. Whenever we found our midfielders before the break we looked a threat, but we just kept coming back. The message at half-time was that we weren’t showing enough bravery on the ball and when we went backwards, Oxford pressed us. It was completely different afterwards. We were still patient, but when the opportunity arose to get into the box, we took it.”
“That impact from Callum is why we brought him to the football club and he looked lively and threatening. But we didn’t lock the game out properly, we allowed their player to have a one-v-one with our centre-half and they’ve got a goal from a rebound. I don’t mind if sides are able to open us up, but the two goals we’ve conceded on this occasion are just awful.”
Et par ord fra Callum Lang
“It’s so frustrating and we were gutted in the changing room afterwards because it feels like two points dropped. But after coming in 1-0 down at the break, then I suppose it’s still a good result if we can back it up at the weekend. The last half-hour showed what this team is capable of. We created chances and looked dangerous – it’s just a shame what happened at end.”
“It’s such a nice feeling to get your first goal on your debut and to then go and celebrate with all the fans. When I got into the box I didn’t really think about passing – I just wanted to turn and get my shot off. I was so happy. That’s what we play football for and three points would have topped the evening off nicely. I want to add as many as possible now because I’ve been brought to the club to make that contribution and want to give something back. I’ll also take the assist for the first goal! It was a scrappy one, but as long as the ball’s in the net, we’re happy.”
League One, The Kassam Stadium, 30. januar 2024
Oxford United – Portsmouth 2-2 (1-0)
45. minut: 1-0 Tyler Goodrham
69. minut: 1-1 Colby Bishop
80. minut: 1-2 Callum Lang
90. minut: 2-2 James Henry
Opstillingen (4-2-3-1): Norris; Devlin (Lang ‘62), Shaughnessy, Raggett, Ogilvie (Towler ‘86); Pack (anfører), Morrell (Lowery ‘34); Kamara, Peart-Harris, Lane; Bishop
På bænken: Macey, Sparkes, Martin, Saydee, Lang, Towler og Lowery
Advarsler: Bishop og Peart-Harris
Udvisning: Ingen
Tilskuere: 8.864. Heraf 1.485 medrejsende Pompey fans.
Post-match interview med head coach John Mousinho
Interview med Callum Lang
Kampens højdepunkter
