Kevin Keegan has admitted that a draw was probably a fair result after he spoke after the game this evening, but 0-0 takes some believing.
Kevin Keegan - surprised there were no goals tonight
But with the game being so end to end Kevin says he could hardly believe how the game finished with out any goals being scored.
Both teams had chances to win the match in the second half. Jermain Defoe and Michael Owen both had golden opportunities to win the game for their side, but both missed.
But it appears that Keegan was happy to take the point when he gave his post-match comments after the game:
“I think both Harry (Redknapp) and myself will look at it probably the same: could’ve won it, could’ve lost it,” “If we’re honest, on the day a draw was right, but a 0-0 draw, I’m not sure.”
“There were an awful lot of chances, but a combination of good goalkeeping and players being over-hasty, they were missed and it’s a 0-0.”
Owen’s chance, in the 71st minute, came after a wild Distin clearance fell right for the Newcastle captain from just 5 yards out. But from Owen’s volley, David James somehow diverted the shot over the crossbar, without knowing much about what happened. Owen could have broken the net with the chance, but it was not to be.
And of the Portsmouth and England goalkeeper, who Keegan once took to Manchester City, Kevin added:
“David James has had such a season, I think he could save it with his cap at the moment.” “I don’t think I can come here and say we deserved to win but we certainly deserved at least a draw.”
“I thought everyone tried hard.” “They’re a big, strong, physical side.” “People aren’t scoring much against them. I’m pleased with the performance.”
It seems the overall opinion is that a draw was the fair result, although either side could have won it, with a little more luck.
We think it was a well won point, and another good display from the lads.
Comments very welcome.
29 responses so far ↓
1 lee // Apr 12, 2008 at 21:15
at least we dint loose
2 Alex // Apr 12, 2008 at 21:21
This game showed how far kev has brought us O-o against pompey away from home .It proves we are not that bad a side .Looking forward to next season.
3 Tripp // Apr 12, 2008 at 21:25
It shows that Allerdyce didn’t adapt his tactics to suit the team. Trying to cram our lot into the Bolton mould was a disaster, as we all have seen. Sam’s failure was being too inflexible. It’s easy to say now, but his sacking really was fully justified. KK has done a much better job of extracting results (and clean sheets) from the talent that we’ve got. Kudos to him for that.
4 ToonFan1 // Apr 12, 2008 at 21:28
Don’t forget Pompey were 5 wins on the bounce at home before this one so a draw is a very good result
5 Toon Andy // Apr 12, 2008 at 21:35
To echo the sentiments of those above me, this showed the difference between Keegan and Allardyce. We’re much, much, much better now than we were then.
Speaking of Allardyce, I thought Redknapp’s side played less football than Big Sam’s Bolton side. Thank God the Cockney 2nd-hand-car salesman’s not our manager as it was rumored he could be.
The football on display today sent be an overwhelming message: it doesn’t take anything special to finish in the Top Six of the Premier League.
Given what we have, and a potential £50m to spend this summer, I am very optimistic about Keegan’s “4-5 new players” stance. Four £10m players added to this squad and we’ll be twenty times the side that any Redknapp team will ever be.
In short, bring on next season: and let the good times roll.
6 arnie // Apr 12, 2008 at 21:42
Totally agree with Toon Andy. Apart from the top four it shouldnt take much to overtake the rest. Everton and Pompey are strong, solid well-organized sides. The result today shows that kevin is doing a good job doing the same with our lot. Knowing his teams always play with flair also I’m very excited about the summer and next season. Keep up the good work.
7 ronaldeano // Apr 12, 2008 at 22:17
We are going to win the league next year!!!!!
8 Tripp // Apr 12, 2008 at 22:38
I think it takes an extraordinary amount of talent to do well in the PL. Talent of the players but just as important, if not more so the talent of the manager and scouting networks. It’s a massive task and I’m glad I’m not involved because they must work 80 hour weeks! Credit to KK. This week was a good test and while we didn’t ace the test, we did well. We shined in the area where we’ve sucked… defense. Another clean sheet is excellent and away at Pompey to boot. We’ve got a ways to go yet, but we’re finishing this season on a solid note, unlike last season where we just faded out. Next week’s a great chance to show some bottle and pick up 3 points in the most important game of the season. Too bad I’ll be in the Utah desert 50 miles from the nearest TV.
9 Stamford Toon // Apr 12, 2008 at 22:55
So KK can organise the team better than BS can he? What a boring game and I lost count of the number of high balls played by our team from back to front, hardly anything into our front men’s feet. Of course had BS achieved the same result in the same way many of you would be slagging him off. KK played for a draw, why else would Beye not have gone forward as he did in the last game, when in my opinion he was the man of the match. I’m not sure I would be able to pick a man of the match this time, perhaps Oba being the liveliest most adventurous player or Butt who controlled the midfield.
10 ToonKing // Apr 12, 2008 at 22:57
well said Toon Andy
11 Steve_48 // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:05
At least we’re not last on MOTD tonight, was a decent game, proved we can go away from home, keep a clean sheet and put out a display which merited the requirement - a point.
Cannot wait until next Sunday will be watching this one TV
12 mikeygd // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:14
lol @ stamford toon , ure an idiot
13 IrishMan // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:40
We are last on MOTD.
14 Egar // Apr 12, 2008 at 23:53
Owen could have broken the net with the chance, but it was not to be. James “used his head” to make that save (haha).
How true that it was not to be. James was fortunate a couple of times with some lapses but had luck on his side.
The game could have gone either way admittedly, but I think our lads marginally edged it.
Toon Andy’s & Arnie’s comment are spot on and I’ll drink to Ronaldeano’s optimism.
15 Benn..Geordie Down South // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:07
At The End Of Everry Season.. We Allways Say That Next Year Is Our Year Or Next Year We Will Do Well.. I have A Feeling We Will Have A Good Year Next Season And Hope I Wont Be Sat Here in A Year Saying Everything Again After Another Managerial Change..
16 Carl Johnson // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:11
stamford toon stay at stamford bridge you prick kk playing for a draw with 3 upfront spot on mikeygd what a proper idiot and what makes you think big fat sam in charge with even a 4-5-1 formation could even keep a clean sheet
17 andy // Apr 13, 2008 at 0:23
spot on carl ,stamford andy what an idiot should be watching netball total nonse
18 Punk Skunk // Apr 13, 2008 at 1:34
portsmouth were obviously shit scared of us, great!..We were unfortunate not to get the killer goal…But a decent all round performance, away, clean sheet!..No doubt the cock-knee press will say portsmouth had an off day, like they always do…They just can’t give us any credit, W*nkers!..
…Butt was MotM, but big respect to the whole defense!..
…Their crowd was well quiet, all 17000 of ‘em!..
Btw, have portsmouth shipped Darlo’s old ground south & changed it’s name, what a poo hole?..
…Ho’way the Lads!..
19 ScottyT // Apr 13, 2008 at 3:38
another good performance from the lads and in the end very unlucky not to take all 3 points. agree with what some of you said before it shows the difference between fat sam nd kk.
i thought geremi played really well 2day tbh and im not a fan of him really but fair play to him. jose i praised vs reading but he didnt look great 2day too many balls slahsed out of ply down the left. faye was also a bit on and off 2day going to sleep a few times which is worrying. hopefully ppl will notice faye made mistakes and see its not always taylor as some on here would have you think.
also think you could see the change in MO attitude today to when sam was here. flying all over the pitch closing down showing more energy he looked a much better player. ok he missed a great chance which he should have scored with his eyes closed really but his work rate now is brilliant.
all in all a very good performance and result from the lads and great workrate and drive. much better. now just take it into the derby next sunday ill be there for sure. Howay Lads!!!
20 The black in the blacknwhite // Apr 13, 2008 at 4:25
I think we have to damn the Smith getting games business!
as i had sed before the game i would have taken a draw-
our consolation along with the points were the positives-
first, we were positive, Martins and Viduka being our most effective players today-
the defence I thout defended well- they didnt distribute and attack well- yes early on i was concerned with Enriques kicks into the ground- on about three occasions!
our strengths were the Attack and defence- our midfield is our weakest point
Butt, I think will be replaced in the summer but will be a deputy of the position- Butt i think has on observation of the last 4 games in full a 67% (Im pulling i know) that just isnt good enough for top four, thats why United sold him- but he is a soldier and playes as usual his guts out!
Geremi, not convinced his the best to start- but has good moments- but his set peices minus his goal against spurs is woeful- we had almost a dozen corners today more than half didnt beat the first man! I would play duff there next week!
Barton- i like him- but has anyone noticed he has lost a yard since moving from man city and lost some weight that used to carry him in challenges- for next season(court permiting) he will have more serious challengers to his position.
I hopeful fellas- i think King Ke knows this time he got Unifinished business with the premiership
21 ToonRich // Apr 13, 2008 at 4:30
Stamford…Fook off you daft southern tw@t!!!
I’m pretty proud of the lads…they went to Pomey with a plan and stuck to it, not like S.A would have done. KK put his team out and stuck to his guns…Oba had another gr8 game, ok his end profuct could have been better, but he attack sol like nobodies business, and it scared the crap out him! lol. MO, another good captains performance, unlucky with the chance he put on james head!
I’m another looking forward to next season…i think even the current 1st choice team could get top 8….roll on the summer signings!:)
22 Archie Brand // Apr 13, 2008 at 5:22
Isn’t it amazing what a couple of results can do.
I was thinking to the fans - not the team.
Despite the abuse he’s getting Stamford Toon has a point.
The Pompey game was nowhere near as entertaining as the last 3 or 4 we’ve played.
In those games we had anything up to 10 efforts on goal. What did we have yesterday - 2?
In my opinion all down to Butt not having a good game.
I also agree that we should reconsider what Smith is doing in there.
And can we please train a second player to take corners. Geremi couldnt get the ball past the first defender yesterday.
But there are always positives - 3 clean sheets in 4 games can’t be a bad thing.
We have to be looking forward to the Mackems and West Ham.
And, of course, the Transfer window opening.
23 FennoMagpie // Apr 13, 2008 at 8:24
Archie, come on. We had at least half a dozen clear chances. What was important was the we had the confidence to shoot (Geremi and Martins testing James with good long shots on target, for example), we held the ball for long stretches of time and defended by controlling the flow of play rather than sitting under the ball like Pompey did.
What the home defence did well was holding their line so that our three forwards could not get onto the crosses played by wing backs / midfielders, which were the biggest threat against Reading.
Also Beye had less opportunity to attack as Portsmouth had definitely counted on counter-attacks as their main strategy. Already they only threatened when Newcastle was playing an aggressive attack with the defense supporting the midfield (which you have to do with 4-3-3).
24 jeff // Apr 13, 2008 at 9:17
Its good to read the comments above and apart from the odd one at least everyone isnt getting carried away with the last three wins…Playing away at Pompey isnt an easy game and alot of fans couldve got carried away with things but I think like alot of you that the point is a good result and also extends our unbeaten run….As for Keegan not being a tactician….and all attack well his defence seems to be playing rather well and are also learning how to keep clean sheets….As for Allardyce..when are people going to realise,His style of football was not suited up here..yes Keegans playing 433 but with an attacking style….Allardyce played 433 but negatively..He also went to places like derby and wigan and played 1 up front thats why he isnt good enough….Keegan had every right to change formation away from home but stuck to a winning formation and ended up with a point..Good result….As for Owens miss,it was a split second chance and if it wasnt for James afro it wouldve been in the back of the net…Bring on the Mackems
25 Hadji // Apr 13, 2008 at 9:41
Stamford…Nobody plays for a draw with 4-3-3
26 Doctapaul // Apr 13, 2008 at 9:48
Spot on Jeff.
Keegan who has no nouse (allegedly) for tactics confounds the critics yet again. He has kept Allardyce’s sons of Bolton alive - Harry, Hurry and Disrupt, who have become adopted bretheren to Keegan’s own: Pass, Cross and Score (almost yesterday).
Allardyce will no doubt have some smart answers (after all this is Sam’s squad) BUT would have drooled had we’d played the way we did yesterday at Derby, Wigan and Reading. In fact Sam would still be in a job.
Cloud Sam had a platinum lining - Kevin Keegan.
27 IanG // Apr 13, 2008 at 9:54
No Stamford, we played attacking football - just look at the number of corners we had compared to them.
But we did squander a lot of attaking opportunities with final long balls which we too ambitious or just too long. In the first half we also had about 60% of posession and in the second I did’t see Pompey with too much of the ball yet the stats said 50:50 posession.
I think KK was being generous not to say we should have won it and Admiral Akbar was also being a bit subdued in his comments but there you are.
Still think we’re capable of going past West Ham - they are in a right rut at the moment.
28 A geordiedoonsooth // Apr 13, 2008 at 10:28
A few weeks ago a 0-0 at Portsmouth would have been a great result yesterday we could have won it I don’t know what game Stamford Toon was watching but I think he some sort of idiot. I thought we played decent football. If we can get 4-5 of the players we are supposed to be after then next season could be very, very good.
29 Paul // Apr 13, 2008 at 10:39
stamford toon get a life tbh, we are not Man Utd (yet) good away point at a hard place to get anything. Well done the lads and cant wait for next week.
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