Middlesborough 0 -4 Portsmouth, Harry = genius?
Middlesborough 0 -4 Portsmouth
The guys at the dog park this morning were slagging Harry Redknapp, calling him a "mercenary" etc. Call him what you want, but Redknapp's results with Portsmouth are astounding.
In his first tenure with Pompey in the prem, Harry kept them up and, moreover, made them a very difficult opponent to face at Fratton Park. What he did last year was amazing - he had to clean up the Allain Perrin disaster at mid-season with a squad full of players that were not suited to the Prem (and that Harry clearly hated). There was also the issue of an atrocious record - honestly, they were marginally better than laughing-stock Sunderland.
Harry comes in, cleans house, and basically starts from scratch while every other club is rounding into mid-season form. He adds a D'alesandro, finds a heroic role for Pedro Mendes, sprinkles some magic dust, and Portsmouth miraculously avoid the drop.
Now with a summer to organize and add to his side, Harry has Portsmouth climbing the table with 7 points from 3 matches.
Today against Boro, they created tons of quality chances attacking and looked patient and organized defending, only ceding a few half-chances. Primus was great in the first half when the match was still in the balance. Kanu (2 goals) continued his torrid early form scoring on an incredible solo run from his own half. The only small negative I can think of was that scorer Benjani was offsides at least 5 times. But who cares with a 4-0 road victory against a team that just defeated Chelsea?
For Boro, I will say that despite all the benefits in confidence from defeating Chelsea, matches like that are draining. It is not suprising they came up wanting today, but they should never be embarassed at home by Portsmouth.
Viduka, after netting the match winner vs Chelsea, was given the start, but proved unable to build on that performance. The Aussie was full of his usual deft touches and tricks but they were to little effect. Viduka slowed down the Boro attack and often lost the ball before being subbed off in the 2nd half.
Yakubu didnt have a great game but provided some threat and spark. I think he will be good for his usual 15 goals or so this season. Stuart Downing continues to look good and received the loudest cheers from the home crowd.
The guys at the dog park this morning were slagging Harry Redknapp, calling him a "mercenary" etc. Call him what you want, but Redknapp's results with Portsmouth are astounding.
In his first tenure with Pompey in the prem, Harry kept them up and, moreover, made them a very difficult opponent to face at Fratton Park. What he did last year was amazing - he had to clean up the Allain Perrin disaster at mid-season with a squad full of players that were not suited to the Prem (and that Harry clearly hated). There was also the issue of an atrocious record - honestly, they were marginally better than laughing-stock Sunderland.
Harry comes in, cleans house, and basically starts from scratch while every other club is rounding into mid-season form. He adds a D'alesandro, finds a heroic role for Pedro Mendes, sprinkles some magic dust, and Portsmouth miraculously avoid the drop.
Now with a summer to organize and add to his side, Harry has Portsmouth climbing the table with 7 points from 3 matches.
Today against Boro, they created tons of quality chances attacking and looked patient and organized defending, only ceding a few half-chances. Primus was great in the first half when the match was still in the balance. Kanu (2 goals) continued his torrid early form scoring on an incredible solo run from his own half. The only small negative I can think of was that scorer Benjani was offsides at least 5 times. But who cares with a 4-0 road victory against a team that just defeated Chelsea?
For Boro, I will say that despite all the benefits in confidence from defeating Chelsea, matches like that are draining. It is not suprising they came up wanting today, but they should never be embarassed at home by Portsmouth.
Viduka, after netting the match winner vs Chelsea, was given the start, but proved unable to build on that performance. The Aussie was full of his usual deft touches and tricks but they were to little effect. Viduka slowed down the Boro attack and often lost the ball before being subbed off in the 2nd half.
Yakubu didnt have a great game but provided some threat and spark. I think he will be good for his usual 15 goals or so this season. Stuart Downing continues to look good and received the loudest cheers from the home crowd.
posted by the idiot at 1:37 PM
4 Comments:
Boris,
There you are - I got my wish of the first shot of Lerner's wife, Lara, during the Villa/Newcastle game. And you got a victory - perfect day. Bring on Petrov.
I agree re: Curbishley/Charlton - we always heard about their late season swoon, but I don't know how he ever got them up the table to begin with. Btw, I can name Jason Ewell - enough said. I have concerns for them under Dowie as well.
I dig Yakubu as well.
I posted Kanu's hattrick vs. Chelsea from '99 on Sanford's Soccer Net. Awwww, the memories...
I am just the man to not be able to explain what makes a coach great.
I do agree re: hiring just-retired players as coaches is a bad strategy in general. Even if they are noted "students of the game", I think all would do well to serve as assistants
before being handed the reins.
The thinking gets a little fuzzy I think - like the buzz around Keane coaching Sunderland, as if Keane were about to play for them in his prime. Or that the team will now embody what he was as a player. Is there a buzz about Brian Robson at W. Brom? hell, no. And that guy was the shit as a player and leader.
I think teams and fans want a piece of the greatness they have seen on the pitch, but there is no correlation. Or in the Gareth Southgate case, he is so well-liked, respected by players, and even-tempered that he incorrectly appears the best choice.
I do have a soft spot for Kanu (as the Editor must as well), though I agree with you that he is wildly inconsistent. I can't imagine he will keep up this form, but I wouldn't put it pass Harry to get good year or two from him. Like big Sam with Anelka (who I wouldn't put on my u9 soccer team), its a big test for the manager.
Btw, I thought Kanu was a great signing by W Brom - to add some flair and creativity to a bland side - but that sure didn't work out. We will see (and definitely watch.)
The shot of Lerner and wife is on the EPL review show if you can catch it.
I posted Kanu's miss for West Brom as well!!! Hah! Inconsistent to put it mildly. Nobody will be surprised if Kanu doesn't score from Oct. - April.
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