Boro Bore Draw

13 March 2011 14:17
Portsmouth 0 Middlesbrough 0 Pompey were held to only their second goalless draw of the season after a flat and frustrating game of football, particularly in the second half.The first half wasn't that bad in truth, as Pompey were unlucky not to take the lead midway through it. David Cotterill overhit his corner kick but Jonathan Hogg was there to keep the ball in play and nutmeg a Boro defender before crossing for Hreidarsson who headed the ball against the crossbar.Pompey were cursing their luck once again as Kitson's shot was cleared off the line and referee Phil Crossley should have awarded the home side a penalty when Nugent was brought down in the box by Seb Hines before half-time.Boro had barely threatened and Pompey really should have gone into the break with a lead.Unfortunately the second half was a dire affair with the referee feeling the wrath of the fans for some baffling decisions. Liam Lawrence returned but couldn't inspire the team whilst Kanu didn't have his usual effect on the game, either.Therefore both sides had to settle for a point, which will be far more useful to Middlesbrough than it will be for Pompey, whose performance in the second half had an "end-of-season-with-nothing-to-play-for" feel to it.The only real positive to come from this game is that we've kept another clean sheet thanks to another good defensive performance where Rocha shone again. Forget Lawrence and Nugent, if there is only one player we can retain for next season it has to be the influential Portuguese centre back. If he had been fit all season then he'd be Pompey's player of the season without question.With the season ticket renewal period upcoming, I would seriously hope that the players don't plod along for the rest of the season thinking that the job is done.Portsmouth may well be playing in the Championship next season but that didn't stop the murmurs of discontent coming from the paying Pompey fans who were disappointed with the poor performance.Now that there is nothing to play for but pride, hopefully we can see a more attacking, entertaining style of play for the rest of the season.Pompey Player RatingsJamie Ashdown: 6 - Saved one good effort from Robson but nothing to do otherwise.Ritchie De Laet: 6 - Solid defensively but not so good going forward.Ricardo Rocha: 7 - A class above the rest.Greg Halford: 6 - Seems a natural at centre back now.Hermann Hreidarsson: 7 - Unlucky not to score.Jonathan Hogg: 6 - Average.Hayden Mullins: 5 - Unusually off the pace.David Cotterill: 5 - No joy down the right.Joel Ward: 6 - Could consider himself unfortunate to be replaced.David Nugent: 5 - Not at his best.Dave Kitson: 5 - Still not happening for him.SubstitutesDarryl FlahavanCarl DickinsonAaron MokoenaLiam Lawrence (Ward 59): 5 - No impact on return.Tom KilbeyNadir CiftciKanu (Cotterill 69): 5 - Couldn't influence the game.

Source: FOOTYMAD