Portsmouth v Carlisle

[hellogregory]

New season. Long trip. Toughest away game of the season for Carlisle.

Match discussion here.

 

[hellogregory]

Have to say I'm not at all confident we'll get anything from this match. A point would be amazing but just can't see it.

We've looked utterly toothless in preseason. We've looked a slow, possession team with no end product whatsoever. I think it's partly a case of the new players needing time to settle into the team and partly to do with a lack of width and speed in our play. Ibehre being most likely missing for this game will be a loss.

Defensively we've conceded some poor goals, but nothing new there. The 2 at Bradford were extremely soft.

I'm going to this, don't ask me why when I'm certain we'll lose (heavily) and its fucking half way to the equator and back. But I always do the first game of the season no matter what.

Prediction: A horrible start.
Portsmouth 4-0 Carlisle United

 

[cufc17]

I'd say it's the toughest game of the season full stop, we've been outplayed the last few matches against Pompey.

I think we'll have a good season, but I think we'll do well to get anything out of this game, and I'd be delighted with a point.

I'm looking forward to the start of the season anyway, sadly won't be going to this one though.

1-0 Portsmouth

 

[daviejones]

An almost guaranteed loss, just not sure by how many yet. That's not to say I don't think we'll do well this season, just that we never play well against Portsmouth and have only just managed to scrape a couple of draws off them in the last couple of seasons. My choice of team would be:

Gillespie
Miller Atkinson Brisley Grainger
Jones Penn
Lambe Devitt Adams
Wyke (only because Jabo is out)

We could easily line up defensively here but that would just be inviting a horrible match and at best another lucky draw. Why not play as we hope to play throughout the season and see if we can match up against the best teams. We will, however, need to be very tight defensively here so I'd understand Curle sticking someone like Joyce in to try and stop us being pegged back all match.

I'll be very glad to get this one out of the way. Third toughest match of the season, behind both Cheltenham fixtures (10-0 losses guaranteed).

 

[cufc17]

I'd probably go with something similar, but Ellis instead of Atkinson. I don't know if Brisley will be playing considering his lack of game-time in pre-season but I hope he's fit. I guess Curle could choose Miller over Wyke, and maybe even Kennedy for his workrate in midfield over Jones perhaps.

 

[daviejones]

I'm not sure this is the game for Miller, may be wrong but if we do end up pinned in our own half we'd need someone big as an outlet. Obviously I hope it doesn't come to that but, given the match, it easily could.

 

[antn1.b]

hoping for a strong attacking start. should have a lot more goals from midfield this season. thought Carlisle had done some decent business this break and expecting a hard game though.
on paper we are the same or better in every area than last time out except right back (Talbot good experienced player but davies was superb there last season)
keeper will be the biggest change for us. forde has always seemed a real old fashioned force between the sticks when I've seen him and has stacks of experience.
either way it will be good to have my Saturdays back!

 

[hellogregory]

I'm not sure this is the game for Miller, may be wrong but if we do end up pinned in our own half we'd need someone big as an outlet. Obviously I hope it doesn't come to that but, given the match, it easily could.

If Jabo is unavailable and we're going with a loan striker I'd play Miller over Wyke. Wyke is too slow to play that loan striker role, he isn't an outlet imo. Miller will run the channels and stretch the defence that bit more, he would be an outlet.

That said, I do think Curle will start Wyke. Jones went off at half time against Bradford replaced by Joyce and things turned to shit. I hope to god Jones hasnt picked up a knock.

This is the team Curle will go with.

Gillespie
Miller Raynes Ellis Grainger
Jones* Kennedy
Lambe Devitt Adams
Wyke​

*Joyce if something is up with Jones



My choice would be.

Gillespie
Miller Raynes Gillesphey Grainger
Jones Kennedy
Lambe Devitt Adams
Miller
​

The reason I'd pick Raynes is because Brisley hasn't played enough in preseason.

 

[daviejones]

Christ, if Joyce is starting our first match of the season then we're doing something really wrong. It could easily happen but we've surely signed at least two players better than him in that position this summer.

Very much looking forward to seeing the Lambe/Devitt/Adams partnership develop though.

 

[antn1.b]

around 250 tickets sold In Milton end so far. horrible journey so fair play to anyone making the trip.

 

[Carver]

I can see us losing this one too.

Right now there doesn't appear to be many positive vibes coming out of the club which is never a good sign and it sets low hopes for the new season just before it starts.

 

[Hermann]

Given the number of signings we have made over the summer (12?) I don't think anyone can be certain who will start - I just hope the new guys can hit the ground running (literally and metaphorically).

I'm hopeful of a home win, but I always have the opening-day disappointment of losing 4-1 at home to Oxford in 2013 lingering at the back of my mind.

 

[antn1.b]

heart says 3/4-0 head says we will cock it up and loose.

 

[hellogregory]

Think we've sold between 300 and 350 tickets so far, but I'd imagine quite a lot will pay on the day.

I'm guessing in total we'll have 600 or 700.

I'm quite looking forward to it now, despite the certain defeat. Hopefully it won't be as bad as the 4-0 I predicted and we'll give a good account of ourselves and make it respectable. As long as there are some positives to take from the defeat.

 

[daviejones]

Seeing as I'm going into it expecting a defeat - which any realistic fan must be doing - I think I'd be relatively OK with a spirited one goal loss.

 

[Bar Carousel]

Far too much positivity for my liking.

The weight of expectation can soon turn to groans from the crowd after a few misplaced passes, and suddenly players lose the confidence to take a risk with the ball.

However, it's the first game of the season, a full house, the sun will be shining, and a string of new signings making their debut. If we can't turn it on tomorrow then when will we.

That said, i'll go for a nervy 2-1 home win.

 

[Carver]

I'm quite looking forward to it now, despite the certain defeat. Hopefully it won't be as bad as the 4-0 I predicted and we'll give a good account of ourselves and make it respectable. As long as there are some positives to take from the defeat.

Come on Gregory man be realistic, it will be a bad 4-0 thrashing at least and we'll not make a good account of ourselves and there will be no positives to take from it.

 

[hellogregory]

Come on Gregory man be realistic, it will be a bad 4-0 thrashing at least and we'll not make a good account of ourselves and there will be no positives to take from it.

But I can hope.

 

[Carver]

But I can hope.

Hope? Let me tell you something mate, hope is a dangerous thing, hope can drive a man insane. It's got no use at our club, so you'd better get used to that idea Gregory.

 

[hellogregory]

Hope? Let me tell you something mate, hope is a dangerous thing, hope can drive a man insane. It's got no use at our club, so you'd better get used to that idea Gregory.

You might want to try handing out some hope every once in a while. Even if there's a 99 percent probability that they're utterly, hopelessly screwed, folks are much more inclined to hear that 1 percent chance that things are going to be okay.

You might say it's Portsmouth away, that's false hope.

Maybe, but it's still hope.

 

[Carver]

You might want to try handing out some hope every once in a while. Even if there's a 99 percent probability that they're utterly, hopelessly screwed, folks are much more inclined to hear that 1 percent chance that things are going to be okay.

You might say it's Portsmouth away, that's false hope.

Maybe, but it's still hope.

No.

 

[hellogregory]

No.

Look we all know we're going to lose tomorrow, but no one is going to tell our fans this.

To relay what we know without fully understanding it will cause a panic amongst the travelling fans.

If we tell them what we know we take away their hope. And hope is a very dangerous thing to lose.

 

[Hermann]

I understand from above that you're preseason hasn't been great, but why so much negativity?

I don't profess to know a lot about your team, but much of what I read about this year's league suggests Carlisle as one of the promotion/play-off contenders. Given that we will likely have 5-6 new players in our side, I'd say the result is far from predictable.

 

[cufc17]

I understand from above that you're preseason hasn't been great, but why so much negativity?

I don't profess to know a lot about your team, but much of what I read about this year's league suggests Carlisle as one of the promotion/play-off contenders. Given that we will likely have 5-6 new players in our side, I'd say the result is far from predictable.

Like I said earlier in this thread, I'm confident we'll have a good season, but it's a tough opener. Likewise, we'll have 4+ new players, and I think most of them will prove to be solid signings, but your squad looks very strong for League Two.

 

[Hermann]

Like I said earlier in this thread, I'm confident we'll have a good season, but it's a tough opener. Likewise, we'll have 4+ new players, and I think most of them will prove to be solid signings, but your squad looks very strong for League Two.

Fair enough - we've seen a number of our own players struggle with the pressure of an expectant Fratton crowd over the last few seasons and so I think I'm always a little nervous going into games like this.

Either way, I'm expecting a great atmosphere!

 

[hellogregory]

On my way. I wish I could be put under an anaesthetic for this journey.

 

[WAP]

On my way. I wish I could be put under an anaesthetic for this journey.

Fair play, just get on the beers.

 

[antn1.b]

more seats released to home fans in Milton end. be nice to see that full up.

 

[hellogregory]

Stuck in bad traffic on the A34. Moving at a snails pace.

 

[Hermann]

The weather down here is glorious - get your money on over 2.5 drinks breaks.