Bloody Predictable

Don't want to spend too much time talking about the semi-final. It hurt enough and having had to deal with a couple of Pompey mates at work didn't make my Monday any more enjoyable.

Honestly, I can't begrudge them their celebrations. Their commitment and loyalty to their club has been exemplary and they, along with the rest of the Pompey faithful, deserve what could be their last day out in the sun for some time. Congrats ladies and gentleman, sincerely. Hope you go on to smash the pikeys in the Final.

On the day we weren’t good enough. Simple as.

Avram Grant sussed out Redknapp's game plan and tactically bitch slapped him. The pitch by no means helped our passing game and we looked laboured in possession. Portsmouth were more than happy to allow us on to them and hit us on the break routinely carving out openings. If not for Piquionne’s poor finishing in front of goal and some imposing goalkeeping from Gomes we could have been out of it before extra time.

They frustrated us. Epic defending and resolute organisation had us all out of ideas other than ‘give it to Bale’. Long before the end of ninety minutes you could see the shoulders sagging, finger wagging and a general malaise creeping in. For all the advances we have made this season in resilience we still looked a team that lacked the mental strength to deal with the weight of being such heavy favourites. We were there for the taking long before the most depressing half hour of football I have ever witnessed.

Martin O'Neill has made a big song and dance over the injustices he has been dealt on his two trips to Wembley this season however our extra-time should put his issues into perspective.

For Pompey’s opener, much is being made of Wiley's decision to give a free kick in the first place. This much is true however that decision is completely irrelevant when you consider that Dawson would be making a routine clearance before the 'hallowed turf' of Wembley struck. Daws loses his footing, Piquionne nicks in, 1-0. Nothing anyone can do about that, no ones fault, pure misfortune.

What followed was just laughable. Bale makes a wonderfully penetrative run down the left and puts in a cracking ball. James makes a hash of a cross, clatters into Niko. Crouch puts in the loose ball. Nowt wrong with it yet Mr Wiley see's a foul that isn't there and James' face tells the story.

It wasn’t to be our day, fair enough leave it at that. Yet Wiley left with one parting shot. A Pompey break left Wilson one on one with Dindane. Sarge could have done better with it and not allowed his man to get in the box but he made up for it with a good, if not a little clumsy, challenge. He could be seen hooking his foot around the attacker and clearly getting the ball. Wiley, standing directly behind the attacker where he can’t possibly get a good view of the tackle, again see’s a foul that there isn’t. Surely his linesman would have had a clearer view but he failed to bother consulting him having already made up his mind. Couldn’t care less about the penalty however the yellow card that followed has now left us without Sarge for our two huge London derbies. Bother.

So out of the cup. Should feel a little hard done by but in reality didn’t really deserve it. Outfought on the pitch and outthought in the dugouts. It hurts but I can bet it doesn’t hurt half as much as being a Pompey fan this year. The club has deserved all it's got for it's piss poor mananagement but the fans are just innocent victims of it. I wish them all the best in the final and in the future.