Jordan Obita ioduced himself to Pompey fans last night by scoring a minute into his debut to secure a point for Portsmouth in a match they probably should have won.
The game was almost a reversal of Saturday's match with Bournemouth with the first half generally being low an quality but with Pompey dominating the second.
Sporting a new "love-it-or-hate-it" orange strip, Pompey started the game slowly as Colchester began to play their long ball game to little effect.
Mikkel Andersen did well to tip over Anthony Wordsworth's free kick in a half of few chances but Pompey's quality shone as debutant Liam Walker played the perfect through ball to Luke Rodgers who ran through the U's defence and slot past Mark Cousins for the opener.
Barring the odd goalmouth scramble, the home fans had nothing to get excited about until right before half-time when a corner led to the ball falling to the feet of Michael Rose who unleashed an unstoppable 30-yard volley into the top corner of the net.
That should have stunned Michael Appleton's men and you would have thought that Colchester would come out all guns blazing in the second half.
But the opposite happened as Pompey flew out of the traps and Izale McLeod really should have done better when he was put through on goal but he couldn't adjust his feet in time and Cousins parried the ball out to Walker, whose shot struck the post.
Pompey fans saw their team continue to play incisive football but were getting frustrated with the assistant referee constantly raising his offside flag.
The home fans and players were also angry with the referee who constantly gave Pompey every little decision, with John-Joe O'Toole receiving a yellow card for his squinnying which entertained the Pompey fans behind the goal.
Another gripe from our point of view is that Pompey never created anything from the numerous corners they won. So it was almost inevitable that Colchester would score from one of theirs as Magnus Okuonghae smashed the ball in from three yards as nobody picked him up.
Appy's response was to bring on Obita for his debut and the decision paid off almost instantly as a surging run down the right from Mustapha Dumbuya led to McLeod's shot striking the post only for the loanee from Reading to fire in the rebound with his first touch of the ball.
Pompey may have had the victory they deserved right at the death but Brian Howard's strike from distance went just wide as the spoils were shared once again.
This was another good performance from Portsmouth and many of the 1,114 travelling fans believed we should have been celebrating victory, yet were satisfied with a point after Colchester had taken an undeserved lead with only six minutes to go.
We learned a bit more about our players today. Walker had a very good debut, especially when he moved into the centre of the park to replace the injured Lee Williamson.
Rodgers has also proven he can play at this level with another good performance and a fine finish for the first goal.
Jack Compton and Dumbuya once again posed problems for the full backs but I believe Appleton may have unearthed a gem in Kevin Long who again stood tall at the heart of the Pompey defence.
The squad still needs some work as it is in desperate need of another centre back or two, with only one senior currently on the books. There is also another need for a striker as the manager only has three to choose from and McLeod isn't the best taker of chances given the evidence so far.
Appy already has £40,000 of the £60,000 he has asked for to sign a player who will "tear up League One" and so there might be more faces to arrive yet.
But if we can keep this side together then this team is capable of going places this season.
Pompey Player Ratings
Mikkel Andersen: 6 - His opposite number was busier during the game.
Mustapha Dumbuya: 7 - Much better when playing at right wing, pace always troubled the U's defence.
Kevin Long: 8 - Held the defence together and won almost everything.
Paul Connolly: 6 - Did a job.
Jon Harley: 5 - Exposed at times.
Liam Walker: 8 - Impressive debut, excellent on the ball.
Brian Howard: 7 - Pulled the strings again.
Lee Williamson: N/A - Has a hamstring injury and is doubtful for Carlisle on Saturday.
Jack Compton: 7 - Looks like another good find from Appleton.
Izale McLeod: 6 - Gets into good positions but needs to make more of his chances.
Luke Rodgers: 8 - Good goal and always caused problems with his runs.
Substitutes
Simon Eastwood
Adam Webster (Williamson 34): 6 - Settled into the game.
Keiran Djilali
Connor Clifford
Jordan Obita (Compton 84): N/A - Scored a minute into his debut even if it was laid to him on a plate. What more could you want?
Ashley Harris
Source: FOOTYMAD
