HorsforthRam

To the ap fella… we scored two good goals. Their equaliser was a fabulous strike but the fella hand balled it on the touchline. We frustrated them in large parts. The penalty wasn’t a penalty. The striker hit it in front of Smith but couldn’t get in front of him. He went into the back of Smith. Their “open” goal. Seen those type of chances missed all the time. Wasn’t as easy as you make out. Wildsmith saving with his legs… you’d expect a save from that angle. The bloke should have pulled it back. 
 
Lastly, when we were on top first half, NML breaking through with an overloaded on our left… mangy fox stops play 😂😂
I said to my lad, if I was a neutral watching that game, I’d never have thought Pompey were gonna score that second half but being a Ram, it’s always feels nerve wracking watching the opposition have so much ball even if it’s just in front of us. I think for some posters, that sort of skews the view of the game in that they feel we were some how lucky to get a point 

Mendez needs a rest. First half didn’t know he was playing. Second half didn’t run at his man and passed the ball out of play or to their players more than us. I’d rest him vs Wycombe and bring him on later 

Their 1st? Might have been just offside but too close to call and the ref's assistant got it right in giving the benefit of any doubt to the attacking side. Handball for the 2nd by Raggett, definitely, although Collo's half hearted "challenge" didn't help. The ref taking account of the slippery pitch saved JW early doors and their player (Saydee?) when he took Sibs out 5 hours late. Their player was looking for the penalty, imo, he appeared to be going down of his own volition as soon as he felt contact. The ref didn't buy it. I have to admit I thought it was one and then, from the front on replay understood why it wasn't given. Another day, another ref and it, and the 2 red cards, would have been given. Swings and roundabouts. They had the lion's share of possession, we had more shots, same amount on target. The fox may have cost us a 3rd as we had numeric advantage and it was our speed merchants up there. Stopping play was the right decision imo. All in all, I view a draw as the right result.

It's a shame Bolton's match v Posh isn't sooner when it potentially has more riding on it.

Agree with most of that. It would have been natural or understandable for us to sit back with 15 to go. However, that mentality seems to have been instilled at half time and like you, I thought Pompey were there for the taking. Even with our approach, it would feel a lot more comfortable if, now and again, we had control of the football for brief spells. As it was, we tried to counter too quickly and turnover was too quick (a big beef of mine 😂)
I do t expect we’ll change much over the course of the next 4 games. Warne’s big call will come when Bradley is available again
 

Agree with most of that. It would have been natural or understandable for us to sit back with 15 to go. However, that mentality seems to have been instilled at half time and like you, I thought Pompey were there for the taking. Even with our approach, it would feel a lot more comfortable if, now and again, we had control of the football for brief spells. As it was, we tried to counter too quickly and turnover was too quick (a big beef of mine 😂)
I do t expect we’ll change much over the course of the next 4 games. Warne’s big call will come when Bradley is available again
 

Agree with most of that. It would have been natural or understandable for us to sit back with 15 to go. However, that mentality seems to have been instilled at half time and like you, I thought Pompey were there for the taking. Even with our approach, it would feel a lot more comfortable if, now and again, we had control of the football for brief spells. As it was, we tried to counter too quickly and turnover was too quick (a big beef of mine 😂)
I do t expect we’ll change much over the course of the next 4 games. Warne’s big call will come when Bradley is available again
 

To the ap fella… we scored two good goals. Their equaliser was a fabulous strike but the fella hand balled it on the touchline. We frustrated them in large parts. The penalty wasn’t a penalty. The striker hit it in front of Smith but couldn’t get in front of him. He went into the back of Smith. Their “open” goal. Seen those type of chances missed all the time. Wasn’t as easy as you make out. Wildsmith saving with his legs… you’d expect a save from that angle. The bloke should have pulled it back. 
 
Lastly, when we were on top first half, NML breaking through with an overloaded on our left… mangy fox stops play 😂😂
I said to my lad, if I was a neutral watching that game, I’d never have thought Pompey were gonna score that second half but being a Ram, it’s always feels nerve wracking watching the opposition have so much ball even if it’s just in front of us. I think for some posters, that sort of skews the view of the game in that they feel we were some how lucky to get a point 

I've slept on it and will probably get pelters but I still feel last night is 2 points dropped. And I'll elaborate.
All if buts maybes granted, but Bolton win their game in hand then win another that we lose there's still a good chance we miss out on autos by 2 points.
You can pick any time through the season we could've gained 2 points, most will look at Northampton and say the massive Derby County should be rolling over Northampton and that's where we went wrong.
But I'll still be more disappointed In last night and the reason is we never turned up at Northampton, we could've played for a month and never scored. Last night we turned up, first half was one of the best attacking performances I've seen all season. Pompey looked rattled and couldn't deal with the pace. Yes they had more chances first half could've gone in 3-2 down, but we didn't we took the lead. Second half they couldn't get anything going, we gave them too much respect because of the position they're in, played too defensively, didn't make the Collins sub when we should've. These tactical decisions on a day when we turned up and imo could've gone on to score more had we carried on as we did in the first could be more costly than a game we didn't turn up in.
I don't post on here enough to know the beef some posters seem to have with having a positive or negative opinion on decisions by the manager, I'm not strongly for or against Warne, for what he's been dealt finances injuries etc he's doing a good job yes but I still think everyone's opinions should be considered and not ridiculed, would be a boring world if we all thought the same after all.

Will we struggle next year? With this exact team, yes of course but it's going to be another big off season for recruitment, so I really don't think it's worth even mentioning until we know what league we are in.
On the game...
Thought it was a really exciting advert for League 1 (I wish all games were that standard) Two teams going for it, albeit with slightly different approaches. The quality on show was impressive considering the conditions and magnitude of the game.
We absolutely held our own, possibly conceded too much possession and territory in the second half but I don't think it was the wrong tactic given the circumstances.
Think the criticism of Wildsmith is unfair, tricky conditions and a couple of decent stops. Also responsible for points in the last few games. We look better with him in the sticks than Vickers for me.
We absolutely have to back it up now with a win against Wycombe, hopefully the walking wounded can get some rest and fitness back in their legs. Huge 4 games.
COYR

Pompey were on a decent home run and it took a very good goal to beat us. Well done Derby.

I think the reason why @Bris Vegas post has rubbed people up the wrong way is 2 fold. 
1) the timing of it
2) deep down people know it’s accurate
 
We have done well to get ourselves into this position with 4 left to play despite the injuries. The recent run we went on to completely turn it around and go from play offs to automatic hopefuls was really impressive. 
 
BUT our performances against the better sides this season will see us struggle in the championship. The gulf between this league and the one above is huge. Warne comfortably got Rotherham up 3 times to then be relegated 3 times. We need probably 12 new signings to even compete up there and none of us truly know where we stand financially and what our budget will allow. 
 
I don’t think Bris is wumming I just think his opinions came at a time people wanted to celebrate. It’s acceptable to say this would be a relegation scrap next year in a higher division. 
 
I like Warne but he’s done nothing to show he can be successful in the division above despite going up with the best team in league 1. We’ve not even got that luxury!! 
 
Anyway up the rams! A nervy last 4 but put ourselves into a great position. I hope it’s wrapped up before Carlisle so we can have a party atmosphere. 

I think Bris has been very consistent this season that we will go up. He was saying it around November iirc.

Team and fans did us proud last night. A great advertisement for League One. 

Too bloody right! Still buzzing from last night. What a disappointing read this thread has been.

Still seems like a good point this morning. No, not the draw against Pompey. Bris’s viewpoint that we will struggle next season 😂  Lighten up you guys. It’s one Mexican’s opinion. No need for a stand-off.

Great result and performance.  A point away at the top of league in horrendous conditions is not to be sniffed at.  I thought Ward took his goals well, especially the first.  He hit it first time, no need for a touch to control it and that probably caught them out.  CBT had his best performance in a Rams shirt and showed what he can offer now he’s over his niggles and settled in.  Sibley did well against one of the best wingers in the league.
Adams - my MoM, although Cashin ran him close.  I thought we might need a 3rd man in midfield but having him as 1 of the 2 is like having 3 in midfield.  The amount of ground he covers is superb, he tackles, he supports the attack and good on the ball.  How he plays with that energy during Ramadan I’ll never know.
I thought we were tactically spot on in the 2nd half and played the conditions well.  No point in closing down, risk a slip that lets them through or gives away a free-kick.  We made them go long and the ball skidded out on a slippy surface.  It took a bit of luck (handball) and a cracking strike to equalise - Wildsmith was a bit unlucky with that.
4 to go, 3 wins should do it.  April could feel like a long month!!  COYR 🐏.

I suspect it will be a draw. Not sure if that’s good for us or not (obviously better than Bolton winning). But my view is that we just win our last 4.
Wycombe will be a test. 

Great result at a very difficult place. Credit to all the Rams fans who made the journey too . That’s dedication. 🐏👏🐏👏
Everyone did their part. 
Don’t blame Joe for the second. A hard and swerving shot that deserved a goal in truth.
My only concern is NML’s lack of form over the last three games. Just not the same player. Physically tired ? Still carrying a niggle ? Yes, being asked to play ouf of position but even so he seemed out of it tonight, particularly after saying (in his pre-match interview) how he was so looking forward to the game. Mind u, the CBT run leading to the first goal was good to see.
 
COYR . We can do this. We just can’t have another ‘Northampton’ at Wycombe- that will be a very hard-fought game.
 
🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏

Just got home, happy with a point. Laughing at some of the comments on here, i thought we played well mostly but were too deep at the start of the second half maybe. It was essential we did not lose tonight and take a hit on our GD. Definitely would have taken a draw before kick off.

Back home…
Excellent performance. Points from me:
- adventurous line up. Well done Warne.
- CBT, superb. Keep this up in the last four games and this is a new player for us.
- Adams, incredible force in the middle. If he had a passing range, well, he wouldn’t be in L1
- Ward - pleased for him. First goal super finish, second he got a good break 
- Wildsmith - having watched the goal back, does he have a weakness on long range shots (thinking Stevenage as well). He has to do better and stop that. I don’t think he’s as good as he or is think he is.
- The fans - we were incredible. Loud from the get go. Quieter second half as expected with their pressure.
There was a point in the first half though when just about all four stands were jumping around if you’re going up (or whatever the phrase is). It was awesome to see.
Portsmouth are good. It felt like a Championship quality game as well. 

Overall,  very satisfied as wasn’t expecting anything.

I’m insulted.

In the game I saw we scored 2 goals and created nothing else of note in 90 minutes.
Portsmouth on top of their 2 goals missed an open goal, had a 1v1 saved by Wildsmith's legs and the penalty incident at the end. Calling the above an even game and a fair draw is a bit of a stretch.

Press a man hard on a pitch as waterlogged as that and as you approach he’ll push the ball to one side and watch you slide towards the bye line like a duck landing on a lake north of Toronto in February 

Surely every post in here is an opinion?
X had a good game tonight.
That’s a good point.
Warne’s subs were poor.
Thompson looked lively.
Wildsmith has to do better there.
Warne deserves credit tonight.
Pretty much everyone’s statements in here are opinions. Mine too. It would look a bit tedious if you have to write IMO after every line.
Opinions are fine as long as they aren’t insulting anybody.