Derby 1 Portsmouth 1: Neil Allen's verdict - Archetypal away point adjusts relegation narrative
The Blues remain one point above the relegation zone after a battling point at Pride Park
Bursting through the home chuntering and murmuring at the final whistle, the tune was as unashamedly positive as the Christmas songs played over the Pride Park PA System.
‘We are staying up’ was the unmistakable cry emanating from many of the 2,007 visiting faithful following Saturday’s 1-1 draw.
Certainly the often gloomy outlook on social media contrasted significantly with the views of those present, who throughout had consistently outsung a curiously muted Derby support.
Perhaps the hosts had anticipated a comfortable victory, not unreasonably considering John Mousinho’s men had previously collected just one point on their travels since the goalless St Mary’s draw on September 14.
There was a noticeable tetchiness among a large number of Derby fans, exasperated at the back three spending too much time in possession and not utilising the ball quickly enough, before being momentarily satisfied when Matt Clarke pinged another wonderful crossfield pass to the right wing.
Demonstrated grit and steely determination
Credit to Pompey then that they managed to frustrate John Eustace’s side, demonstrating grit and steely determination which has encouragingly returned to their make up over the last two matches.
Other than a Callum Lang goal afterwards described by Mousinho as the Blues’ best of the season, it wasn’t a free-flowing display, rather a case of doggedly digging in, particularly in the final 15 minutes.
Passing was poor at times, frustratingly giving away possession on occasions, but the heart, effort and attitude of Mousinho’s men could not be faulted. They fought, scrapped and claimed an archetypal away point. Nothing to be ashamed of.
Indeed, apart from Nicolas Schmid’s superb stoppage-time save from Patrick Agyemang’s goal-bound header, the defence had primarily kept the Rams’ attacks at arm’s length, with the Austrian keeper having little to do.
Little surprise then that the home fans were so cranky about being restricted to a 1-1 draw in the final match before Christmas Day. It wasn’t meant to be this way against struggling Pompey.
And little surprise the away support were so appreciative of their team’s efforts over the 90 minutes to the point where, for the first time this season, they were enthused enough to sing about staying up.
Pompey targeting 3-6 new players in January
Perhaps a disclaimer is required. Nobody is saying Pompey don’t need to invest and recruit in the forthcoming transfer window, with Mousinho targeting between 3-6 players in the most recent reference to his ambition.
Also, absolutely nobody is suggesting everything is going to be plane sailing from here on in following four points from a possible six. After all, the Blues still remain one place above the relegation zone.
Nonetheless, a gutsy point at Pride Park had provided enough compelling evidence to persuade the travelling Pompey faithful that all is perhaps not lost. How quickly the narrative can change.
At 1-0 down against Blackburn the previous weekend, the Blues were second from bottom and there was a sense Fratton Park could get a little ugly. Around 125-minutes later, Mousinho’s name was being sung as loud as ever.
The last two results, while clearly not champagne football rolled out by a team leading the table, have generated four points and arrested the rot. They have also provided precious hope entering the Christmas period.
Papering over the cracks? Maybe. But this was a team once in freefall - and now they are beginning to ascend again. There’s plenty of fight left in this group of players, even before the necessary upheaval the transfer window promises.
Two seasons of exceeding expectations
Again it’s worth reiterating, plans haven’t been changed off the back of the last two matches. Recruiting a centre-forward, central midfielder - maybe two of them - and left-back remains on the wishlist, with many rightly also questioning the wing options and the centre of defence.
Yet Mousinho was desperate for points to keep Pompey ticking over before calling upon the cavalry. Not just for the team, but his own reputation, with some having given up on a head coach who has spent the last two seasons exceeding expectations.
Cutting themselves adrift before January 1 would have been disastrous, in terms of transfer pulling power and remaining in the Championship - and Pride Park provided another prized point in the meantime.
Indeed, it was Pompey who opened the scoring after six minutes against Derby, with a lovely move emanating from Schmid and culminating in Colby Bishop steering a wonderful first-time lay-off into Josh Murphy’s cross, with the winger then finding Callum Lang on the far right.
The former Wigan man proceeded to cut inside onto his left foot and, after what seemed to be an age at the time, crashed a left-footed shot into the net to register goals in successive games.
However, Derby levelled on the stroke of half-time when Joe Ward lost Jordan Williams and delivered a dangerous cross from the right which Patrick Agyemang and Hayden Matthews slid in for, with very different ambitions.
Unfortunately it appeared Matthews took the final touch to divert it into his own net - and that’s how the scoreline remained at the final whistle.
‘We are staying up’ chimed the travelling faithful. You have to admire their positivity - and also credit the hope generated by Pompey’s gutsy players over the last two matches.