Portsmouth fans’ frustration is growing with their poor start to the season following a 0-0 draw with Gillingham on Saturday afternoon.
Pompey had chances to win the game, mainly through front-man Ellis Harrison, who wasted a couple of opportunities and also hit the inside of the post, but their play was slow, lacklustre, and devoid of ideas. The home faithful weren’t afraid to show their frustration throughout, too.
Pompey set up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation but struggled for width until the introductions of Ryan Williams and Andy Cannon late on. They almost won it late, too, when John Marquis missed Ben Close’s cross by inches, when any sort of contact surely would’ve resulted in a goal, but the south-coast side had to settle for a point.
Steve Evans opted to set up with a 4-3-3 formation, a system he, afterwards, claimed the side had worked on over the last two weeks to try and add defensive stability, with a midfield three of Alfie Jones, Mark Byrne and Stuart O’Keefe. A trio lacking creativity, maybe, but made of steel, definitely.
Although the Gills didn’t offer too much going forward, they battled hard and looked good for their point. The defensive line of Jack Tucker, Max Ehmer, Connor Ogilvie and Tom O’Connor frequently put their bodies on the line and denied the Pompey forwards any kind of space to play.
Pressure on Kenny Jackett is growing, and Portsmouth sit 16th in League One as they prepare to travel to Wimbledon next Saturday. Gillingham, meanwhile, are 15th, and will host Peterborough next weekend.
words Lewis Browning, Gillingham FC fan & writer