Peterborough 2 Portsmouth 0 - Jordan Cross’ verdict: The missing star performers threatening to expose promotion bid as an illusion

Sean Raggett spotted the moment to finally end Pompey’s torment at the hands of Ivan Toney.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Blues defender zeroed in on League One’s top scorer with bad intentions, as the chance to land one of his trademark reducers on League One’s top scorer presented itself.

Only things weren’t as they seemed, and the firm-but-fair opportunity wasn’t really there - just another illusion on an afternoon where Kenny Jackett’s side were stooges for Toney’s outrageous brand of magic and his free-scoring team’s attacking sleight of feet.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And so it proved, as Raggett’s efforts to nullify a majestic foe ended with him flailing awkwardly to the London Road turf, as a player destined for greater things glided out of harm’s way and off to continue his sorcery.

Then Siriki Dembele saw his opportunity to step into the spotlight, reach into his bag of tricks and conjure the kind of wizardry which belonged on the Las Vegas stage more than a League One argument. Now you see me, now you don’t.

There were no white tigers here, but this mauling arrived courtesy of the two most outrageous performers Pompey have faced this season. And as Kenny Jackett’s men licked their wounds the big question was to how great an extent had their own ambitions of reaching the Championship been maimed?

Toney was unplayable. Dembele a blurring and bewitching talent to leave the Blues entranced.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But then there was Sammie Szmodics, a man Pompey were linked with in January before Cameron McGeehan arrived, pulling the strings behind the pair. Peterborough’s wing-backs marauding up and back, with Dan Butler looking a player few thought he’d become after the Isle of Wight lad left Fratton Park in 2015.

Ivan Toney tormented Pompey. Picture: Simon DaviesIvan Toney tormented Pompey. Picture: Simon Davies
Ivan Toney tormented Pompey. Picture: Simon Davies

In the middle of the park, Darren Ferguson’s men won the argument. At the back they comfortably dealt with their foe’s toothless efforts.

And as Peterborough’s big-game players rightfully received their acclaim at the afternoon’s curtain call, what of their opposites whose levels of showmanship once again missed the mark?

For all of the appreciation that has to be afforded the show put on by the Posh, this is the issue now haunting Pompey and their main performers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hopes are being pinned on Ronan Curtis this season, but when the big League One stage called for a star turn from the Republic of Ireland international he fluffed his lines. And not for the first time.

Ronan Curtis was one of the many Pompey players who went missing at Peterborough. Picture: Simon DaviesRonan Curtis was one of the many Pompey players who went missing at Peterborough. Picture: Simon Davies
Ronan Curtis was one of the many Pompey players who went missing at Peterborough. Picture: Simon Davies

Ben Close’s form has dropped and been short of the levels he’s capable of reaching, his displays passive as he drifts in and out of the team rather than the metronomic goalscoring efforts we saw earlier in the campaign and at the end of last term.

And then there’s the man who had hopes of elevating Pompey’s quality from League One pretenders to contenders pinned upon his January arrival? While McGeehan's Fratton stay to date has hardly proved disastrous, he’s so far failed to blaze a trail in the manner both anticipated and required.

After a couple of months with scarcely a senior appearance, a period of adjustment could fairly be afforded the schemer. But he’s now 14 games deep into his PO4 stay. It’s time to become the forceful midfield presence his current employers need him to be.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

That evidently needs to be from the deeper-lying role rather than the more advanced position he started in, as Jackett went ‘point down’ with his midfield in a 4-1-4-1 formation at London Road.

Out of a competitive opening, the pattern for a dispiriting and ultimately chastening afternoon was to soon emerge.

Sczmodics had been denied by Alex Bass, who went on to produce arguably the finest of his senior performances to date, before John Marquis replied with a 27th-minute drive from the edge of the box. It turned out that would be about as good as it got for Pompey, as Christy Pym saved smartly.

With Christian Burgess absence through suspension, the pre-match fear this would be a defensive challenge beyond the capability of Jackett’s men was soon to be realised.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The decision to combat the issue by throwing in Jack Whatmough with one senior 90-minute performance to his name in 13 months - against a side with 80 goals to their name this term - was always going to be an area of focus.

There was inevitability to what followed, with there no answer to Dembele as he twice blazed beyond Whatmough’s grasp in the 32nd minute. To add a kick in the proverbials it was Butler - the lifelong pal who will be the best man at the Gosport lad's wedding next year - who provided the finish.

How it wasn’t two immediately is a testament to Bass’ instincts. There will not be a better save seen in League One this season then his jaw-dropping point-blank to effort to keep out Toney’s true hit from two yards.

By the time his presence did just enough to deny Dembele, who streaked through in first-half stoppage time, it was the 21-year-old alone keeping his side in the contest.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With Whatmough taken out of the firing line at the break, James Bolton moved inside and Ross McCorie introduced at right-back, Pompey mustered a couple of limp efforts after the restart with Ryan Williams blazing over and sub Oli Hawkins heading wide.

But a stretched game for Pompey to chase was fertile feeding ground for Peterborough to pick apart their exposed visitors. Toney, Dembele & Co were ruthless in doing so.

A 26th goal of the campaign arrived for the Posh’s talisman with four minutes left. A long but delicate sweep of his left limb left Bass exposed and Pompey praying for the final whistle without suffering greater damage and embarrassment.

‘The second goal summed it up,’ said Jackett, in his post-match comments, which he revealingly and pointedly repeatedly came back to his disappointment over Pompey’s attacking impotency.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘We’re going forward, they’ve cleared it and Toney’s pulled it out of the air and stuck it over my keeper. It was the sort of moment we couldn’t find.’

It also happens to be the moment Pompey have been unable to deliver on three successive occasions against promotion rivals on the road now.

It’s the kind of forward inspiration this team has now been devoid of on five away opportunities against League One contenders this season.

With Fleetwood up next and three successive road trips with aspirational rivals beckoning, it’s the single factor which threatens to suck the magic out of the season and expose this promotion bid as nothing more than hocus-pocus.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.