Neil Allen's Portsmouth verdict on defeat at Sheffield United

Neil Allen's assesses Pompey defeat at Sheffield United

Transcript

00:00Greetings from an empty Bramall Lane here tonight after Pompey's 2-1 defeat.

00:09Absolutely agonising, isn't it really?

00:11I've read a few gloomy comments on Twitter saying all very well for Pompey playing exceptionally well.

00:18All very well for the Chefs United's manager to say that they were fortunate and the Chefs United deserve absolutely nothing from the game.

00:28It's all very well for John Massino to say it was one of Pompey's best performances of the season because Pompey were excellent.

00:38However, they lost and there's a bit of negativity at the moment around people.

00:44You have to respect Pompey's performance. They were superb.

00:48They didn't win or even get a point because they were profligate in front of goal.

00:53Profligates are nice, polite way of saying they missed lots of chances and they did.

00:58Wow, Chefs United fans couldn't believe how lucky they were.

01:02I've had several journalists come up to me in the press box afterwards saying,

01:05how have you lost eight in a row? Why are you where you are in the league?

01:12Pompey were excellent today. Wow.

01:14We've wanted these home performances away from home and they've done that tonight.

01:20Irrespective of the result, they were superb.

01:23Really, they sort of dropped off once the winner went in in the 73rd minute, but they were superb.

01:29The pressing, so many good displays again.

01:31Defensively, Pompey conceded one goal in the last two games against two of the top three.

01:37He's got his best defence there in place.

01:40So much to like about Pompey today. I know they lost. I know it's another defeat.

01:45I know it doesn't help Pompey's league position, but there's so much to be encouraged about.

01:49Blimey, so much to like about that performance tonight.

01:53So many players that deserve credit today.

01:57But it's a defeat. It is a defeat.

02:00So, again, it puts pressure to win at home to Cardiff.

02:04But John McSinniff spoke about, he's been trying to instil players the confidence,

02:09the belief that they deserve to be at this level.

02:14And he points out, look at how Pompey played against Burnley.

02:17Look at how Pompey played against Sheffield United tonight.

02:21And that shows that Pompey are good enough at this level.

02:24So, I know it's a defeat, but cheer up everybody.

02:27It wasn't too bad. It was very, very good. Thank you.