Promising Signs

City 1 v Portsmouth 3 

This was always going to be a stern test for City, especially as Portsmouth had won all their pre-season friendlies up to Saturday.  After a scare early on, when Nugent missed a sitter, Hume scored a lovely goal.   

What was really surprising was the sublime pass from De Vries who a few minutes earlier had shown a bit of skill I never knew he had!  Sadly the lead didn’t last long but I saw enough to give me some optimism for the coming season.   

Some players stood out:  Clemence played some lovely passes and Chambers looked a good buy.  N’Gotty and McAuley generally looked solid at the back although there were a few occasions when they seemed to be confused as to who was doing what; twice in the second half a Portsmouth player was allowed to progress from the halfway line into the box without being challenged.   

However, we found David James in cracking form and without his magnificent saves the result could have been 3-3.  Stearman looked better than he did for most of last season although still hesitant on occasions, and Newton did well after he came on during the first half.  Henderson didn’t have too much to do but made a few good saves, and couldn’t be faulted for the goals….

Kishishev was busy and made some good interceptions and Wesolowski had a solid game.  The two front men, Hume and De Vries, proved to be quite a handful.  Of the players who came on during the game, Campbell immediately made an impact and, when fully match fit, should prove a real asset.  But who is Rowe-Turner? 

Blackpool on Saturday should be nowhere near as much a challenge as Portsmouth, but City must not take them lightly.  I like the way Martin Allen is talking and the players (from the evidence of Monday’s event) seem to be gelling with each other.  

I just hope supporters do not get carried away and expect instant success; it will be a long hard season and just because we have a new manager and 12 new players does not give us an automatic right to be promoted.  But the signs look promising.

City: Henderson; Stearman, N'Gotty. McAuley, J Chambers, Wesolowski, Kishishev, Clemence, Mattock, de Vries, Hume.

Subs: Newton (Mattock 24), Kisnorbo (McAuley 54), Campbell (Hume 64), Porter (Kishishev 64), Sappleton (N'Gotty 70), Hellings (Clemence 81), Rowe-Turner (De Vries 87). Nielsen (unused)

Portsmouth:  James, Lauren, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Mvuemba, Davis, Mendes, Muntari, Nugent, Lualua.

Subs: Taylor (46 for Mendes), Pamarot (46 for Mvuemba), Traore (46 for Hreidarsson), Songo'o (74 for Lauren), Craine (87 for Davis), O'Brien (87 for Muntari), Hughes (87 for Lualua). Ashdown (unused)

Referee: K Friend. Attendance: 8,914.

The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation

Leave a Reply