Gaffer for a day: Pompey v Accrington

Having been at Adams Park last weekend, I thought the team played well against Wycombe.

Pompey didn’t do a lot wrong. We didn’t do enough to win, but did not deserve to lose.

For that reason, I would retain the same team and the same system. I’m quite happy with the 4-2-3-1.

There is a bit of hype over the 4-4-2, we have been playing more direct with it but creating less goal-scoring opportunities than last year and the start of this season.

The 4-4-2 doesn’t really work, it’s a bit old fashioned these days, and if you are chasing a game in the last 15 minutes you can always revert to it.

I was encouraged with Eoin Doyle’s debut, his movement off the ball was pretty good. Having him up front instead of Michael Smith was chalk and cheese.

My wife, Tracey, went with me to the Wycombe game for the first time in ages, but Pompey didn’t really get the rub of the green.

Scott Kashket got a fortunate deflection and a lucky break. When we had an opportunity following a mistake by their keeper, Carl Baker put it over the bar.

As an optimist, I still believe we can get automatic promotion.

Carlisle are unravelling a little, Exeter are a decent side but can they continue it, while I have wishful thinking Plymouth will implode.

It’s still open. Whether it is automatic or through the play-offs, we will get promotion somewhere. I’m pretty confident of that.

Pompey fans are fickle, let’s be fair, and after two defeats on the bounce have jumped on the bandwagon. We know that two wins on the trot will suddenly make us the best team in the world.

Gaffer’s Pompey team to face Accrington:

David Forde

Gareth Evans

Christian Burgess

Matt Clarke

Enda Stevens

Michael Doyle

Amine Linganzi

Jamal Lowe

Gary Roberts

Kyle Bennett

Eoin Doyle