Pompey in three points shocker

What a day at Fratton Park. I can safely say I haven't walked away from a football ground feeling that happy in a long time - after weeks of saying that we had to win the next game, we finally actually made all the pre-match talk in the papers count for something with workrate and performance on the football pitch. So, to briefly sum up highlights of the day;

Feeding the Yak

1) The fact that it's not just Yakubu scoring anymore. LuaLua chipped in with another following his strike against Fulham last weekend, and he seems like a man possessed at the moment. He was my clear man of the match and something seemed to happen every time he was on the ball. Yakubu played better than he has done recently and got another goal to his name - his first from open play since the beginning of January - whilst Kamara changed the game, in my opinion. Not only did he score a great goal and create a couple of chances, but he can sleep safely tonight in the knowledge that he is the new record holder for "Longest Goal Celebration Ever", finding time to be mobbed by a few team-mates, hug Yakubu, do half a lap of honour, shake hands with the manager, do a bit more ear-cocking, then decide to get on with the game. At least he kept his shirt on (as much as the ladies might disagree with that statement, but I suppose they got an eyeful of Lomano to make up for it).
2) Although it's still far too early to judge, early signs from Perrin are encouraging. At 2-2 having thrown away an early lead, the temptation might have been to sit back and play for a point. It's something we've done a lot lately and it certainly has benefits - after all you could go hell for leather and end up with nothing. But clearly that's not something that bothers our new gaffer as we ended the game with four strikers on the pitch. Let me just clear that up - not two strikers with a couple supporting when possible, not three strikers with another in the hole, but quite literally a bank of four strikers, then two midfielders looking a bit lonely, then another bank of four for the defence. What balls that man must have for his first game in "the toughest league in the world", barely knowing the players, not at all knowing the opposition, and still thinking "forget it - let's go for the win anyway". I'm sure there will be days in the future when going for the win will cost us a result, but I - like most football fans I would hope - would rather see my team lose trying, than just meekly surrendering.
3) The fans were on top form today. I was quietly dreading having to put up with the people behind me at Fratton today as they usually moan about everything, continually have a dig at the players and seem to generally hate anything we do. And, to be fair, during the match they berated everyone. But I was pleasantly surprised before kick off when they were saying, "Perrin sounds good, we've got to give him a chance". Now if THEY can find a place in their heart for Mr Cheese Eating Surrender Monkey, we ALL can. And indeed the crowd were on top form - especially a brilliant spell in the second half just after we hit the post, Steve Stone encouraging us all to turn up the volume. Alright so Cissé then ballooned out a cross and it went a bit quieter, but the noise - especially after the third goal - was fantastic. And that's just what we need, to make Fratton a fortress again and all pull in the same direction for the remaining six games.

Alain "raises the roof"

4) With Southampton losing, we're now guaranteed to be seven points clear of the relegation zone at the end of the weekend even if West Brom beat Villa tomorrow. Today's three points were an absolutely massive step to safety. And just as I predicted, last week's game against Fulham wasn't "all that" at all - after they lost to Bolton, we're now back above them again! It's all swings and roundabouts and no doubt there will be other weekends when we don't do so well, but it's funny how it changes so quickly. Last Monday we were getting sucked into the relegation scrap and in serious trouble, this Monday we'll be looking down at those languishing below us and feeling mighty comfortable a bit further up the table. One win will do. Two will make sure. And that's just dandy thanks.
5) I thought Skopelitis played really well today and having seen the game again on Sky I still hold that opinion. His pass through to Yak in the second half for his glaring one-on-one miss was excellent and on the whole he did well breaking up the play, and was unlucky to have to come off for the sake of a change of formation. Steve Stone also had another fantastic game and managed to keep up the tempo too despite being part of a mighty two man midfield by the end.
6) We actually won a game!
7) We finally have a manager whose name fits in the "Mr Bloggs' blue and white army" song.

As a final "wrap-up", then. We played some lovely attacking stuff today, although I'm still slightly concerned about our defence. De Zeeuw had an absolute shocker and Taylor wasn't much better, although Cissé makes a damn good right back. Linvoy still worries me a bit as he's on a very poor run of form lately as well as continually being punished for every mistake he makes, but we got away with it today for the most part - especially when you consider Charlton only had one shot on target other than their goal.

As we all know at this stage of the season it's not about performances - it's about results. And today our attacking football in a cracking game meant we deserved the win. Charlton's "end of season collapse" (tm) and generous defending made it a lot easier for us, but it's a huge three points and now - hopefully - a springboard to safety.

And we can watch Match of the Day without fear!