October 2020
League One: Matchday 4
Venue: Pirelli Stadium (6,937)
Date: Oct. 3, 2020
4-2-3-1: MacGillivray; Brown,
Nicolaisen (PotM), Whatmough, Bolton; Naylor, Morris; Curtis (Williams 84’), Avdijaj (Cannon 84’), Jacobs (Harness 84’); Marquis
Goals: Lawless (8’), Hemmings (13’)
Burton were the much more clinical side scoring from two of their three shots on target. Really it could’ve been three if it wasn’t for MacGillivray palming a shot off the crossbar at full stretch.
League One: Matchday 5
Venue: Fratton Park (18,948)
Date: 10/10/20
4-2-3-1: MacGillivray;
Brown (PotM), Nicolaisen, Whatmough, Bolton; Naylor, Morris (Close 61’); Curtis, Harness, Jacobs (Hiwula 31’); Marquis (Harrison 80’)
Goals: None
MK Dons came out and decided to just sit back and defend for 90 minutes with five defenders and three midfielders. We managed eight shots on target with only one worthy of a highlight in this match. This was hands down the most boring match yet.
League One: Matchday 6
Venue: Fratton Park (18,481)
Date: 10/17/20
4-2-3-1: MacGillivray; Brown, Nicolaisen, Whatmough, Johnson; Naylor, Morris (Close 69’); Curtis (Williams 69’), Avdijaj, Jacobs; Marquis (Hiwula 69’)
Goals: M. Jacobs (44’), D. Avdijaj (62’), J. Hiwula (83’)
After just one point from our last two and a slow start to this match, I grew frustrated and needed to change something. Rather than pumping in early crosses we looked to work the ball into the box and that paid off. ST John Marquis has been struggling a bit, scoring just one goal in the league thus far, so I subbed him off to give Jordy Hiwula a chance up top and he rewarded us with a goal. I’m now thinking about giving him a start. I also didn’t pick out a PotM in this one as three players recorded a game high 7.7 rating.
League One: Matchday 7
Venue: MEMS Priestfield Stadium (6,020)
Date: 10/20/20
4-2-3-1: MacGillivray; Brown, Nicolaisen, Whatmough, Dasilva; Naylor (Close 57’), Morris; Curtis (Williams 47’), Harness (Avdijaj 66’), Jacobs;
Hiwula (PotM)
Goals: D. Samuel (33’, 49’), L. Brown (37’ OG), J. Hiwula (42’, 47’), J. Graham (90+1)
We now have just one point from three away matches in the league. With third place Sunderland up next we may need to change things up a bit. We continued with our normal pressing style of play with a high defensive line, but ST Dominic Samuel was able to beat us twice with simple long balls over the top. Look for us to sit a little deeper against Sunderland.
League One: Matchday 8
Venue: The Stadium of Light (34,182)
Date: 10/24/20
4-3-3: MacGillivray; Brown,
Nicolaisen (PotM), Whatmough, Bolton; Morris (Close 62’), Naylor, Cannon; Curtis, Hiwula (Marquis 80’), Jacobs (Williams 45’)
Goals: R. Nicolaisen (78')
Rather than running out in the 4-2-3-1 formation we’ve used all season, we went for a more defensive 4-3-3 with Tom Naylor lined up as a DM. The first half was very boring as we recorded the only shot in the first 45. We came out of the locker room looking to play more ‘balanced’ rather than ‘caution’ which allowed the game to open up a bit more. Although it was a pretty even match, CB Rasmus Nicolaisen scored from a redirected cross just moments after a poor clearance from a corner kick. From there, both sides had a great chance to score, but neither side could capitalize. A great win for us as it was our first away from Fratton Park!
League One: Matchday 9
Venue: Fratton Park (17,045)
Date: 10/27/20
4-2-3-1: MacGillivray; Dasilva, Raggett, Whatmough, Bolton; Close, Cannon (Morris 87');
Williams (PotM), Avdijaj, Jacobs (Harness 71'); Hiwula (Marquis 71')
Goals: R. Williams (19')
We were up against struggling Northampton at home, so we went back to our ‘positive’ 4-2-3-1 formation. We dominated the match with 23 shots, forcing their keeper to make 12 saves. On the over end, GK Craig MacGillivray saw two shots come his way. One sailed over the bar while the other went wide. Even though we dominated I’m disappointed we only managed one goal from this one. In fairness we did rest five starters.
League One: Matchday 10
Venue: Fratton Park (18,226)
Date: 10/31/20
4-2-3-1: MacGillivray; Brown,
Nicolaisen (PotM), Downing, Johnson; Morris, Naylor (Close 59’); Curtis (Harness 59’), Avdijaj (Marquis 80’), Williams; Hiwula
Goals: J. Hiwula (44’PEN, 45+1), D. Avdijaj (54'), M. Harness (74')
After back-to-back 1-0 victories we opened the floodgates against Charlton. Honestly, we didn’t dominate the match like we did last time out against Northampton, however, we were much more clinical in front of goal. We came out slow again at the start, but were awarded a penalty right before the half. ST Jordy Hiwula stepped up and smashed it home before he added a second two minutes later. The Angolan frontman had a chance at a hattrick, but missed his second penalty. Winger Marcus Harness, who’s been stuck on the bench for most of the season, scored his first of the year. He’s a very talented 24-year old, but with the depth we have on the flanks he has been stuck playing limited minutes.
League Table:
I was to give praise to our left back, Lee Brown who's four assists is tied with the league lead. His 7.44 average rating on the year is also third best in the league. We have arguable the best defense in the league as our center back, Rasmus Nicolaisen has the second highest average in League One. The big Dane is here on loan. If his great form continues I will do all I can to bring him back for at least another season.
Papa John's Trophy First Round: Matchday 2
Ground: Fratton Park (3,315)
Date: Oct. 6, 2020
4-2-3-1: MacGillivray; Pring, Raggett, Downing, Johnson; Close, Cannon; Harrison (Jacobs 74’), Harness (Morris 74’), Williams;
Hiwula (PotM)
Goals: J. Hiwula (32’, 64’, 69’), K. Sterling (52’)
Another win in the unimportant EPL Trophy tournament. We played the backups and won with ease. Second choice striker Jordy Hiwula bagged the first hattrick of my tenure.
Papa John's Trophy Southern Section Group A:
Could’ve been better, but it could’ve been worse. We have struggled on the road this season, however Cambridge are a league below us. I think a rotated squad should still be able to knock off a League Two side.
November 2020: