Plymouth 2 Portsmouth 2: Neil Allen's verdict - Half-time system change reaps Blues point and shows 4-4-2 importance

The introduction of the 4-4-2 system inspired Kenny Jackett’s manager of the month shortlisting for October.
Marcus Harness launches a Pompey attack in tonight's Home Park clash with Plymouth. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImagesMarcus Harness launches a Pompey attack in tonight's Home Park clash with Plymouth. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages
Marcus Harness launches a Pompey attack in tonight's Home Park clash with Plymouth. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages

Tonight its half-time implementation transformed a limp Pompey facing defeat to claiming a 2-2 triumph at Plymouth.

Indeed, had it not been Jerome Opoku’s messy equaliser 12 minutes from time, the Blues would have claimed a seventh successive away victory.

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Whether it was bravery, a tactical masterstroke or admission of a selection mistake, the Blues boss initiated pivotal change at the interval.

Trailing 1-0 having been second best during the opening 45 minutes, he replaced Rasmus Nicolaisen and Ben Close, with Jack Whatmough and Ellis Harrison.

Crucially, he ditched the 4-2-3-1, reverting to a formation which had produced excellent results in previous weeks.

As a consequence, John Marquis’ penalty and Tom Naylor’s strike turned the game on its head within a two-minute spell.

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Suddenly it was the Blues sensing the win – only to be undone by centre-half Opoku’s intervention.

Still, it signified a point against a Pilgrims side possessing the best home record in League One.

While it provided further compelling evidence that the 4-4-2 system brings the best out of this Blues squad.

And no doubt many of the Fratton faithful would agree with such sentiment having watched proceedings unfold on Sky.

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In the build-up, Pompey’s walking wounded declared themselves fit to line-up against Plymouth, offering a welcome pre-match boost.

Leading the way was Andy Cannon, returning ahead of schedule from a groin problem to feature in Jackett’s starting XI

Tom Naylor and Sean Raggett, regarded as doubts when the manager spoke to the media on Friday, were also named in the side for the televised contest.

While Jack Whatmough was on the bench, having recovered from the hamstring injury sustained against Charlton.

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That meant just one change was required to the team which faced Ipswich in the FA Cup during Pompey’s last first-team fixture.

Ben Close represented that alteration, coming in for Ronan Curtis, who remains away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.

That also triggered a system change, with the return of the 4-2-3-1, leaving John Marquis as the lone striker.

Marcus Harness switched to the right flank, with Ryan Williams as the number 10 and Cannon in an unfamiliar left-wing role.

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Meanwhile, Whatmough was on a bench which contained out-of-favour Paul Downing, with James Bolton travelling as 19th man.

However, the Blues were still without injured pair Lee Brown (hamstring) and Michael Jacobs (knee).

Pompey started brightly, moving the ball well and suggesting they would be an attacking threat.

On six minutes, Naylor tried his luck from long range, but his right-footed attempt flew comfortably wide of the intended target.

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However, it was the Pilgrims who took the lead on 11 minutes through a Raggett own goal.

Cam Pring attempted to deal with an aerial ball down the right but succeeded only in flicking it off his head over the defence for Frank Nouble to race onto.

The striker fired a cross into the box and Raggett stretched out a foot to block, only to divert it past his own keeper.

It was a poor goal for the Blues to concede, particularly after such a confident start in possession.

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Craig MacGillivray pulled off a superb stop from Nouble on 22 minutes after Rasmus Nicolaisen’s pass was intercepted.

Panutche Camara then fed Nouble, who rattled off a left-footed shot which Pompey’s keeper pushed around the post to prevent a certain goal.

The Blues were looking very shaky defensively, as Plymouth began to dominate following their early lead, posing plenty of questions.

Then George Cooper cut in from the left and curled a fierce right-footed attempt just wide of the far post.

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Marquis became the first player to be booked, albeit harshly, after adjudged to have fouled Danny Mayor as he attempted to retrieve some miscontrol.

The end of a poor first half for the Blues, which involved two minutes of time added on, drew to a close with Williams’ attempted control at the far post rolling harmlessly across the face of goal.

Jackett made a double substitution at the break, with Close and Nicolaisen replaced by Harrison and Whatmough.

Raggett moved to left centre-back, with Cannon reverting to the centre of midfield, Williams on the left flank and Harrison partnering Marquis in a two-pronged attack.

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It represented a return to the system which has recently served Jackett so well - and how Pompey needed to rediscover their spark in a game slipping away from them.

On 51 minutes, MacGillivray pushed out George Cooper’s shot, which was then retrieved by Danny Mayor, who saw his right-footed effort pushed away.

Then, following up, Ryan Hardie had a glimpse of goal, only for Pring to brilliantly throw himself into front of the attempt to keep it out.

On the hour mark, Harrison’s bravery won a free-kick which was clattered into the ball by Marquis, yet his follow-up right-footed shot whistled narrowly past the far post.

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Then, Pring’s cross from the left was headed out and latched on by Naylor, whose first-time shot was brilliantly pushed over by Michael Cooper.

From the resulting corner delivered by Pring from the right, Whatmough’s header was handled by the high arms of Kell Watts and there could be little arguing the penalty.

Marquis stepped up to drill the ball into the far corner and level on 63 minutes.

Plymouth had already been looking for a substitution and made it immediately, with Hardie replaced by Dom Telford.

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Then, two minutes later, the game was turned on its head, with Naylor making it 2-1 to the visitors.

Cannon’s cross from the left was missed by Tyrese Fornah and Naylor galloped onto it to brilliantly strike a first-time right-footed shot into the far bottom corner.

The spot was picked to precision, and the only area out of Cooper’s reach.

Some after, Fornah was brought off for Conor Grant on 67 minutes.

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It was 2-2 on 78 minutes when Pompey defended poorly from a George Cooper free-kick from the left.

MacGillivray couldn’t quite reach its delivery to the far post, with the ball cannoning off Telford and fortuitously to Opoku at close range.

The centre-half bundled the ball over the line and the match was once again level.

There were to be no further goals as the encounter finished 2-2, yet the Blues can be satisfied with their point.

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And the supporters have further evidence of the effectiveness of the 4-4-2 system.

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