Four In A Row

Last updated : 04 November 2016 By Jim Bonner

Pompey have put their stuttering start to the season well and truly behind them as they deservedly beat Wycombe to record their fourth straight league win, a feat that wasn't accomplished at all last season.

Many fans were expecting a dour game because of the opposition's reputation but instead they were treated to the most entertaining game of the season thanks to some quality goals, poor defending and baffling decisions from the referee.

Rather than sit back, the Chairboys decided to attack Pompey and got their rewards when a long diagonal reached Garry Thompson and his cross was turned in by Paul Hayes to give the visitors the lead.

Paul Cook's men could have fallen further behind when some slack marking allowed Sam Wood to have a crack at goal with the ball thankfully smashing the crossbar rather than the back of the net.

Gareth Ainsworth had, as usual, instructed his team to take their time over set-pieces and goal kicks but that failed to frustrate the Pompey players (although Cook was clearly ruffled) and the equaliser eventually came when Carl Baker struck a shot at Jamal Blackman from a corner and Christian Burgess managed to beat two Wycombe players to the ball to bundle it over the line.

The momentum had shifted in the home team's favour and, having been denied a handball shout earlier in the game, referee Tim Robinson did point to the spot when Sido Jombati clearly blocked Gareth Evans' goalbound header with his arm. Gary Roberts stepped up to rifle the ball into the roof of the net to bag his fifth goal of the season and give his side the lead.

That joy was shortlived, however, as Michael Doyle clumsily lost the ball and it broke to Hayes who was in acres of space in the box to smash the ball past David Forde. It may have been a decent finish but the marking was appalling.

It seemed like the teams would go into half-time level but Conor Chaplin, on for the injured Curtis Main, had other ideas. He received a pass from Roberts, flicked the ball over Anthony Stewart and then produced a precise looping header that sailed over the stranded Blackman and into the net. It was a superb goal that illustrates just how good Chaplin is and undoubtedly admirers from other clubs will have been impressed.

The second half started as the first ended with both teams intent on scoring, but it was Pompey who would ultimately seal the victory as Enda Stevens sent in a cross to the far post and Baker did brilliantly to adjust his body and volley the ball past Blackman at his near post.

That marked the end of the scoring as the game slowed down after that. In fact, the most entertaining moment of the match after the hour was when the crowd chanted "your tits are offside" to Adebayo Akinfenwa, who took it in good spirit.

The final whistle blew to confirm Pompey's fourth straight win which sees them lie in second place (and not top as a few prematurely sung) in League Two. It was a hugely satisfying with as the attacking quality that was shown against Crawley was replicated and the team also showed their character to come from behind and never give up.

We shouldn't get too carried away as Wycombe may have made it difficult but they were missing some key players and have had a rotten 2016 so there will be tougher tests to come with two trips to Lancashire and a home match with a Martin Allen side sandwiched in between.

Some of the defending left a lot to be desired, too. Burgess may have scored but he is still unconvincing when it comes to marking whilst the long, direct balls still seem to cause the back four problems when defending as a unit. They are still crying out for an organiser at the back but there simply isn't one in the squad at the moment.

That's where the moaning ends, though, as the defending doesn't matter so much if the attacking players are firing on all cylinders and even if they aren't, there are players who can come off the bench who can make an impact. Conor Chaplin's goal will also be talked about for years to come.

Hopefully this will also be an unforgettable season now that Paul Cook has broke his duck and his Portsmouth team have finally won four league games in a row. Let's see that turned into five straight wins up at Accrington next weekend.

Pompey Player Ratings

David Forde: 7 - There was one moment where he took the ball cleanly when crowded during a Wycombe corner. That sums up the difference he has made since joining.

Gareth Evans: 7 - Continues to do more than a solid job at right back.

Christian Burgess: 6 - May have scored but defending needs to improve.

Tom Davies: 6 - Did OK.

Enda Stevens: 7 - Played his part going forward once again.

Michael Doyle: 6 - Performance was a mixed bag.

Danny Rose: 7 - Usual energetic self.

Gary Roberts: 7 - Continues to drive the team forward.

Carl Baker: 8 - Arguably his best Pompey performance so far.

Milan Lalkovic: 6 - Not as influential as he was against Crawley.

Curtis Main: N/A - Injured in a challenge early on. Hopefully not too serious.

Substitutes

Liam O'Brien

Matt Clarke

Amine Linganzi

Kal Naismith (Lalkovic 46): 6 - Worked hard.

Conor Chaplin (Main 25): 8 - Superb goal capped another influential showing off the bench.

Noel Hunt (Roberts 88): N/A - Little time on the ball.

Michael Smith