KaKa

Well it's a 4-5-1 when we defend. So the wide forwards play a roll defensively just like Diouf and Davies did at Bolton. Therefore the midfield is much tighter. We don't have the players then. Any two of Martins, Zoggy and Milner could do a serviceable job. Preferrably Martins and Zoggy though.

Well it's a 4-5-1 when we defend. So the wide forwards play a roll defensively just like Diouf and Davies did at Bolton. Therefore the midfield is much tighter.

I was thinking more from a defensive standpoint. I think we need to play the 4-3-3 until we settle down at the back. It's not like we are so much better attacking wise in the 4-4-2 anyway. Can't have your cake and eat it though. If we play a defensive 4-3-3 (if it's possible) that means Geremi, Butt and maybe Smith in midfield. Not good. Nah ... we could go with Butt, Barton and Geremi or indeed Butt, Barton and Emre. Nothing wrong with that at all I actually think it would make our overall passing play better when we attack.

I was thinking more from a defensive standpoint. I think we need to play the 4-3-3 until we settle down at the back. It's not like we are so much better attacking wise in the 4-4-2 anyway.

Time for the 4-3-3 to be given a go I think.

Damn ...

Well, that was kind of what we were expecting before the season even started, no? true, but they all seem to be really starting to hit their straps, whereas Newcastle are...... Portsmouth, Everton, and Blackburn all had squads leaps and bounds beyond ours last season. I think we're catching up pretty decently. As for City, they've had a lot of luck both on the transfer market and on the pitch. I don't really think they play better football than we do. City definitely play better football than we do at the moment. Definitely.

Good point. I was genuinely shocked he could start with such an attack minded approach today, against such a threatening team.

*Scenario* Martin Jol gives Mike Ashley a call this evening ... should Mike Ashley take the call?

I was 100% sure we would come out in a 4-3-3 today, at least to start the game and then maybe switch it up later. This was Sam's only real mistake. No way old man Nicky and a partly match fit Barton were ever going to keep up with Diop, Muntari and Davis in midfield. Really bad decision by the manager.

Sam has tried everything with this defence and still nothing. The next move has to be a switch to the 4-3-3 to offer them more protection. Owen has to either adjust to this formation and find a role in it or he needs to sit on the bench. I just cannot see what else can be done at this point.

Imagine if we had gone for Harry Redknapp ... many would have been livid. I'm not in the get rid of Sam camp at the moment but I'm pretty sure Redknapp would have been a better appointment.

Portsmouth have to much attacking threat if there was one game we couldn't afford to play with the naive Milner and Zoggy on the wings it was today's game. This lineup should have been played against Reading and we should have lined up more solidly today. We absolutely had to match up with their 4-3-3 formation today, and therefore Owen should have been dropped. Thank God this was a Saturday afternoon game and I can get over this the rest of the weekend.

Steven Taylor ... what a muppet.

Are we 4-3-3 now? We should have started the game like this. Who are the three upfront then? Milner, Owen and Martins?

We clearly missed Geremi's linguistic skills this game. He is the organiser and not Given.

Do you support Portsmouth, if not then SHUT YOUR s*** Stop staring at those tits in your sig and engage your brain bozo. The point was that Martins isn't being given a fair go. It is a bit irritating to see Benjani doing so well as I know that Martins is more talented and given enough time as Benjani has been he could do even better than what Benjani is doing at the moment.

I just hate the way people assume a 4-3-3 automatically means bad football. If done the right way it can be great to watch. Portsmouth's attacking play is awesome to watch at times with Diop, Muntari, Benjani, Utaka and Kanu/Kranjcar all getting forward when they attack. I'm just not convinced Sam is comfortable with a 4-4-2, secondly we just don't have the wingers to play the 4-4-2 right now. I don't think Zoggy and Milner are ready to play every game for us. They are simply not good enough yet or consistent enough yet.

Interesting to see the progress Benjani has made this season. He looks such a good player now. It's funny because he doesn't have as much talent as Martins does, but will Martins ever get enough time on the pitch to develop like Benjani has?

To be fair I think we (both players and fans) along with the rest of the country have grossly underrated Portsmouth. Portsmouth is probably the team Sam wishes he could have put together at Newcastle. 4-3-3 with a bunch of absolute beasts on the park who can also play a bit of football. Oh well ... at least we have Owen right?

Um no ... not really.

Bump ...

Can we get some detail on exactly what he did please. I find this all very hard to believe!

Seriously we absolutely had to match Pompeys 4-3-3 as their midfield is very strong. I can't believe Sam hasn't done this. Him of all people. Butt and anyone cannot match up to Davis, Diop and Muntari. No way ...

Isn't this the lineup everyone wanted? Turns out it sucks! Milner and Zoggy are not experienced or consistent enough yet and should be brought off the bench occassionally. Nowhere near good enough to start yet. We need new wingers if we are going to play the 4-4-2. Can't believe we were naive enough not to match up with Pompey's 4-3-3. Bloody ridiculous decision. No 4-3-3 no hope under Allardyce ...