Pompey 1 Northampton 2: Gaffer For A Day

League season over then – now on to the play-offs.

Yes, there wasn’t a lot to the match. It was not a great team performance but it is all about Thursday now.

We put out a drastically-changed team and, for me, that was the right decision.

Although, I would have liked Gary Roberts to be rested.

In the second half we were dramatically better after giving them too much respect.

Which players stood out for you?

Kal Naismith is my man of the match, although mainly for his incredible goal.

He occasionally has that bit of magic about him and did okay on Saturday in a quite flat Pompey performance.

What a goal it was, for me better than Michael Doyle’s at Accrington.

The ball moved away from the keeper as well.

Having said that, many think he should have scored in the first half from a yard out.

But I couldn’t see it properly as from my Fratton end view the crossbar gets in the way!

Naismith is a bit like Ricky Holmes.

Hit and miss and the players picked ahead of him have done better.

And Kieron Freeman?

I bet he wishes he had never come down here on loan!

He had that debut against Leyton Orient when we were terrible and he was awful as well, then played okay in the last few weeks.

On Saturday he went and did that challenge and is out of the play-offs.

It was interesting no-one complained at the red card, not even Paul Cook, who had already been spoken to by the referee for what he had been saying.

I thought Adam McGurk was also going to go for that foul on Ricky Holmes.

What did you make of Michael Doyle winning The News/Sports Mail player of the season?

It is fully deserved and one I agree with.

He has been our best player, so consistent, always fully committed and gives absolutely everything for Pompey.

Mind you, I do think a reason we have not won automatic promotion is the lack of goals from central midfield.

Between Doyle and Hollands they have managed only two, which is disappointing.

Andy’s ratings: Brian Murphy 7; Ben Davies 7; Jack Whatmough 6; Adam Barton 6; Brandon Haunstrup 7; Kieron Freeman 4; Ben Close 6; Gareth Evans 6; Gary Roberts 7; Kal Naismith 8; Adam McGurk 6