Thought we weren't great tonight, but showed good character to come from behind. We didn't play anywhere near flowing football but that pitch is so tight it's hard to get going.

Al habsi really doesn't fill me with confidence and his celebration when mccleary showed he knew there was a massive howler. Neither side really got any protection from a pretty poor referee. Cox is nowhere near good enough to play up top on his own. Gives away silly fouls and his lay off/touch is woeful.

McCleary gave us something we've been missing so far this season, ability to beat a man and get a cross in. It is such a huge asset to have.
gazzer, loyal royal

The team remains a work in progress. Cox was asked to to do a job tonight to be fair to him he gave it all. As did the whole team. Whatever one thinks of the performance. These players have belief in what Clarke is doing. Something which was plainly amiss during Adkins reign. The introduction of McCleary sparked the team into another gear. Gunter in particular became far more involved in attacking positions. The wind at times must have made it difficult for both teams. A win. Two goals scored. At the end you could see what it meant to the players. Clarke's mentality is to win. To be winners. Treating the Cups with respect shows his ambition.
Lower West

Pompey had even led the contest after 40 minutes through a stunning finish from an improbable angle courtesy of Conor Chaplin. Another classy moment from the youngster greeted regularly with chants of ‘he’s one of our own’ by the Fratton faithful.

Nick Blackman cancelled that out in the 64th minute with an excellent run and finish after bursting in from the right-hand side.

It remained 1-1 until the 84th minute, with the Royals steadily stepping up the tempo, albeit failing to disturb Adam Webster and Matt Clarke too much at the heart of the Pompey defence.

However, with extra-time looming, the decisive moment was provided by substitute McCleary as he popped up unmarked at the far post to net the winner.

It marked a first defeat at any level for Cook since he took over as Blues boss in May – not that he could be downhearted.

A packed Fratton Park was treated to an exhilarating game of football, particularly in the first half, and his new regime continues to win many, many admirers in the city.

Although there were multiple alterations to the team which drew against Morecambe at the weekend, there was just the one change from the side which conquered Derby County in the previous round of the Capital One Cup.
Portsmouth News