Gaffer For A Day: The guy is absolutely awesome, what a professional. He has remain at Portsmouth
Gaffer For A Day, Mark Harvey, aged 54 from Gosport, assesses Pompey’s 2-0 win over Ipswich...
What did you think of that Pompey performance?
I was a bit concerned for the first 15-20 minutes of the game because Ipswich were fizzing the ball around and we seemed to be chasing shadows.
Yet, once we grew into the match, I can’t remember Nico Schmid having to make a save, while their keeper made a cracking stop from Milli Alli and we had two other chances we should have taken.
Then Ipswich came out for the second half and, for the first 15-20 minutes, it was lovely to watch, but they would get into the last third and not create anything. They just didn’t have that quality, which really surprised me.
Pompey absolutely deserved it, yet what helped was the fact that Ipswich didn’t come and park 10 men behind the ball, they wanted to play football. Any team which comes to us and plays football, we have a chance against.
Who stood out for you?
Marlon Pack was my man of the match. He was awesome in midfield, commanding, pushing the press in the second half and winning challenges.
Most importantly, for Bishop’s goal, he and John Swift got into the box, which we haven't been doing all year. It meant that Bishop wasn't surrounded by three centre-halves.
He has started our last 12 matches which, considering his age, is absolutely awesome. When Ebou Adams comes back, John Mousinho has a tough decision to make.
I would give Marlon another year before moving him onto the coaching staff. He has looked after himself incredibly well, he’s a model professional, and will make a really good coach.
Milli Alli back to form as well?
For those first few games as a Pompey player he was outstanding, he looked like he wanted to take the players on. Then he dipped.
Where he was really good against Ipswich was he did his defensive duties as well, he was covering back.
There’s no doubt he’s a decent player, but he’s a bit hot and cold. You can probably tell from his first two runs when he gets the ball whether he’s on it.
If he’s not, I would take him off after 10 minutes! He does become a liability, but all credit to him for Ipswich.
How do you view the survival battle now?
We have put survival much more into our hands. I was a firm believer that Leicester this Saturday would be a far more important game - and an easier game for us to win - than Ipswich.
Pompey being Pompey, we’re probably going to lose it now! Win it, though, and Leicester can’t catch us up.
The goal difference has also now evened itself out a bit more, while Charlton seem to be on the verge of the relegation battle too.
It’s a lot rosier than it was seven days ago. We are nearly safe. Nearly safe.
Nicolas Schmid - 7
Terry Devlin - 8
Regan Poole - 8
Conor Shaughnessy - 8
Jordan Williams - 7
Marlon Pack - 9 - MOM
Andre Dozzell - 8
Adrian Segecic - 7
John Swift - 7
Milli Alli - 8
Colby Bishop - 8