Manager settles down to job in hand after link to quitting Pompey
It will be 5 years in January that Portsmouth Manager Scott McGarvey took over the club, and with respect to him, the club haven't actually achieved very much *at all*. They've moved up from Division 8 (which doesn't even exist now) to Division 5, did briefly dip a toe in Division 4, but weren't good enough, and in the previous 16 seasons, although initially going a round further in the Cup each season from when he took over - have only once got down to the 'business end' (well, near it) - with one appearance in the last 64 coming 9 seasons ago...
It led to a little 'mid-life crisis' (it seems) for the Pompey boss, with the Blues now in their SIXTH consecutive season in Division 5 (the longest time in one division prior to this was 3 seasons) - and with the squad not really looking that much closer to 'stepping up to the plate'. Ok, so in the last 2 seasons, McGarvey has moved on more of the 'old guard' than he ever had - to the extent that *no* players now remain that he hadn't signed himself. But the squad was still weak (was the weakest in the division) - and then a bye in the Cup (not good for match experience for youth), and the squad being *so* full, and top heavy with 'oldies' still, Pompey had wasted valuable time, through a lack of 'aggression'.
Maybe it got brought home a little more to see an old rival - S.C. Tuga, in the very top tier of the Euro League - the 'Premiership' - or the actual "Euro League" as it's known. It was only 6 seasons ago that the two teams were doing battle in Division 6 of the Euro League - but in that time, "MeanMC" had got his club up to the top flight, and (a little unluckily) drop down to Division 1 (b),
But - one withdrawn job application later (along with an abortive change of name - as the Manager had no prior experience of changing jobs, despite being employed here since May 2007 - yikes!), McGarvey felt it was the wrong time to leave, and nothing told him that the grass (was that much) greener elsewhere. He was proud of the Pompey name.
A new kit deal (courtesy of "IntheGenes" - many thanks) for 3 new strips, the traditional home blue, the 3rd kit of all yellow (a welcome change - and the official change strip for this season) - along with the white and blue for the side's "sister" club in the 'English Football League" (private), has helped. Along with some sort of game plan. To survive (or not - but if not, to get back up with some prize money), and to trim the squad size down.
Down to on the pitch matters:
Pompey faced bookies favourites International Select XI at Fratton Park for the first game of the season (what with the bye in the 1st round of the Cup), and emerged with a credible (if definitely *lucky*) 1v1 draw. IS XI were unluckily placed 7th in Div 4i last season, in a very strong grouping (with teams again, very familiar to McGarvey - and to his opposing Manager "Magpies_01"). Lorand Ianculescu put the visitors one-up after half an hour, and it looked like Pompey were in for a long afternoon...
But, despite being comprehensively outchanced 2-7, Pompey equalized - thanks to a header from Janne Rundkvist with 20 minutes left, and even missed a penalty (Camilo Banda's 77th minute effort being well saved). Somehow the Blues held on for a point.
The following week saw Moonspell FC visit Fratton (the club's 7th home fixture in a row - albeit including the 3 pre-season friendlies). It was close (chances were 3-1 to the Blues), but an early strike on the counter from veteran forward Juninho was enough to settle the match. An injury to key defender and skipper Cirilo Laiseka was a worry though.
In the cup, Pompey drew (temporarily with their Manager on 'gardening leave'), fc pesko. It was still a strong side though that Blues faced - and they were away for the 1st leg. But Pompey did enough to grind out a 2v0 win (9-0 on chances suggesting they could've had one more at least). Jérome Sarrat and a sweet Johnny Charlton strike putting the Blues in the driving seat for the tie.
Then - after this initially promising start - the Blues came back to earth with a bump. As reported elsewhere, they were no match for a strong Sinistrum Neomagensis side, especially away from Fratton, and were lucky perhaps to escape with 'just' a 0v2 reverse (although they did limit their hosts to 3 chances only - however, they didn't create any of their own).
fc pesko visited Fratton and faced a much younger looking Pompey. With the job half-done, 17 year-old keeper Renato Monção made his debut, and teenagers Claudio Tardelli and Ludo Iuliano played the whole game - along with 20 year-old defender Wincenty Kulyga. French 20 year-old midfield Richard Florent came on for the last 20 too. Pompey never looking in trouble after an early Johnny Charlton header made it 3v0 on aggregate as early as the 6th minute, and Sarrat again scored, revelling in regular football for the 1st time, at the age of 23.
BK Rangers visited Fratton to complete this round-up of the first 6 games of the season and the Manager asking for new screws to his nameplate on his office. The old rivals won 1v0 (4-2 on chances), to no complaints from McGarvey. By then, Laiseka was back fit, but BK (also down from Division 4i), were just too good.
Tomorrow Pompey entertain Linköping City in the Euro League Cup 3rd Round, 1st Leg. They look too strong for Pompey. Whether the Blues will 'go after it' in the hope of a shock win, or whether the Blues we play the odds (and the youngsters), McGarvey is not yet giving away any clues.
There - we've caught right up (even if the team hasn't!) :D
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