Player Ratings

22/2/22

Championship

Sean McLoughlin 4 

Seemed to lack confidence all evening, along with Greaves, just didn’t look at all settled.

Jordan Shipley (82, for Maatsen) 6

Worked hard when he went on.

Dara O'Shea 4

It was good seeing O’Shea getting minutes from the off again after so long, and perhaps it’ll take more minutes for him to be back to his best, though right-back wouldn’t be his favoured role. He did struggle here. Good in the air and in the tackle, but awareness and positioning was lacking as Boro cut Albion open.

Jayson Molumby 6

This was better from Molumby before he’d even bagged his first goal for the club. In truth, running and energy has never been something he’s lacked, though there he does that quality in tight areas when the midfield battle intensifies.

Aaron Connolly 6

Similar to Balogun. The ball went long once too often first half which didn't help him. No shortage of effort, but not much of a chance to shine in this one as it never really dropped for him.

Alan Browne 7

Full of pressing and aggression in the middle of the pitch and made those dangerous channel runs. Saw a low shot first half saved.

League 1

Mipo Odubeko 6.5

A lively presence off the bench. Helped give Rovers more impetus in the final third.

Gavin Bazunu 6

Gavin Bazunu was hardly tested, but had a rare poor lapse of judgement led to Leahy getting a free header, coming too far off his line as Leahy nodded in. Very little to do at all after that, good in his distribution and keen to move the ball fast when needed. 

Sean Raggett 6

A brilliant clearance early on from Sean Raggett was key to deny Matthew Pennington, but he, Bazunu and Ryan Tunnicliffe could all be blamed for not dealing with Leahy from the corner. Solid barring that, moving into a back four for the second half as the Blues looked to exploit Shrewsbury's numerical disadvantage. Not his worst game, but not one of his best either.

Ronan Curtis 7 (Star man)

Ronan Curtis was Pompey's best player of the night, his crossing was largely impressive and almost all of Pompey's good moments came with Curtis involved. His first half cross led to O'Brien's equaliser, as well as creating a couple of golden chances for George Hirst, who should have done better in front of goal. Started a No.10 but he ended the night on the left wing. Involved in a post-match scuffle with Leahy, but during the game he was impressive and was the reason Vela was sent off. 

Aiden O'Brien 7

O'Brien marked his first start in a Pompey shirt with his second goal for the Blues in as many games, a poacher's finish to steer former Sunderland teammate Hume's initial effort in. Quiet before his goal, he got more involved in the game after notching, showing up Tyler Walker with two goals already in very little game time. Played a deeper role after the break and was a surprise player to be taken off for Walker in the second half.

Marcus Harness 5

Pompey's top scorer was introduced off the bench at the halfway point in a bid to throw an extra attacking player into the fold, with his introduction leading to a change in shape to a 4-2-3-1. After struggling to impact the game when coming on, he ended as a right-back in a very attacking formation.

Kieran Sadlier 7

Went to the left wing-back slot but didn't have a great deal of impact from that position, as such, but was in the right place to fire home key second goal.

25/2/22

Premier League

Shane Long (for Adams, 82) 5

Didn't do too much when he came on as the lone striker.

26/2/22

Premier League

Matt Doherty 8

Scored his first Spurs goal and followed it up with an assist five minutes later in his best performance for the club. Should have had another but took a heavy touch and Illan Meslier rushed out to save.

Seamus Coleman 6

Set the tone with a combative challenge on De Bruyne by the touchline in the first half that had the home fans on their feet. Despite coming up against the fleet-footed Raheem Sterling, he still managed to get forward on occasions.

Championship

Darragh Lenihan 6

Lead by example and provided that stability needed in the back five this afternoon. Won a lot of tackles to ease the pressure on the Rovers defence and his passing allowed them to break on the counter multiple times.

Jimmy Dunne 8

Another fine display from the Irishman, who was the pick of the Rangers’ central defenders. Marshalled the physical threat of Gallagher well and showed good pace to deal with Blackburn’s small but mobile forwards.

Jeff Hendrick 6

Some tidy passing, including one peach of a ball to find Adomah in the box. Had a chance late in the game but was unable to get his head to Sam McCallum’s cross.

Aaron Connolly (for Siliki, 46') 6

Unlucky to have a goal disallowed but helped spark a better Boro second half.

Mark Travers 8

Was unable to keep out Tommy Smith's driven strike at the far post, but made a key flying save to stop Stoke from doubling their lead when it was 11v11. His distribution wasn't quite as precise as usual in the opening stages, with Stoke's incremental press causing problems.

But made a monstrous save at the death to once again tip the promotion balance in Bournemouth's favour.

Mark McGuinness 6

A decent enough showing from the centre back. Had a couple of hairy moments but generally did well defending his box.

James Collins 5

Missed an absolute sitter in the first half, hitting a one-on-one straight at Marek Rodak. Ran his socks off, though.

Joel Bagan (for Doughty 67) 6 

A nice outing for the left back. Almost netted the equaliser with a header late on.

Alan Browne 7

Solid performance from the captain, getting back in to cover and defend when required while showing the confidence to drive forward with the ball. Set up a first-half chance for Evans and passed pretty well.

Eiran Cashin 7

Solid, calm and strong defensively. Another impressive performance by the young defender.

Jason Knight 6

Created an early chance for Kazim-Richards.

Festy Ebosele (for Bird, 66) 6

John Egan 5 

Had a good chance to give United the lead in the first half with a free header that was straight at the keeper.

Conor Hourihane 4 

Not as influential as in recent weeks. Delivery and passing was not as good as it has been.

Sammie Szmodics 5.5

He was busy as always, but the position behind the front two needs a good passer of the ball, one with vision. Missed a great chance to score a consolation goal.

Sean McLoughlin 7

Calm, composed and found himself in little trouble in the first period, a theme which continued into the second.

League 1

Mipo Odubeko 6

Ran the channels and gave Griffiths some much-needed support as a half time replacement for Williams.

Anthony Scully 5.5

Struggled to make an impact in the first half. A little more involved in the second after swapping sides with Maguire, but isn’t the threat he looked earlier in the season. 

Kieran Sadlier 5.5

Went to left wing-back slot like against Lincoln, saw shot from the edge of the box blocked.

Gavin Bazunu 5

Gavin Bazunu has not let in three goals in many games all season, never mind in the opening 45 minutes of a match at home to a bottom half side. Good Pilkington and Biggins finishes perhaps could not be blamed on the Republic of Ireland international, but when Lane beat him from some way out on his side, he will have been frustrated not to have batted it away. 

Sean Raggett 7

Sean Raggett could not remotely be blamed for Pompey being 3-0 down before the break, with all of Fleetwood's goals and the move for them coming down that side. He fought and found himself in a very competitive tussle with former Blues colleague Ellis Harrison. Caused problems when got forward and swept up at the back, summed up when he got straight back up again after finding himself shoved over the hoardings.

Marcus Harness 7

Pompey's top scorer Marcus Harness was back in the starting line-up for the first time in a fortnight, lining up as a right winger, back to the position he is best known for, even if he has not played there all that often this season. Good link up play with those around him and his creativity and reformed partnership with Tunnicliffe proved to be the source of much of Pompey's promise. Part of the bundle in the box for Curtis' croner which was given to him. At his best, his quality makes him too good to ignore, and there were flashes of it, especially in the second half. 

Ronan Curtis 8 (Star man)

Curtis was the man at fault for Pilkington's opener as former Blues colleague Ellis Harrison sprinted and shurgged past him before crossing for Pilkington to convert. Tried to cause problems with his crossing but failed to really do so, although he did have the big say on the first half when converting the penalty won on the stroke of the interval, converting well from his first ever penalty in blue. That goal gave him a lift and was at the heard of everything good for much of the second half, creating multiple good chances and seeing a header off the back post clip the top of the bar. His early error quickly avenged by his excellence in the second half when his corner created Harness' bundled second. Picked up a very harsh booking in the second half that suspends him for the next two games.

Aiden O'Brien 7

Aiden O'Brien would be allowed to feel hard done by for not earning back-to-back starts after a goal on his full debut at Shrewsbury. Seconds after coming on, he did well to steer a header on goal from Tunnicliffe's cross. Became the late hero when going through clean on goal and slotting past Alex Cairns, his third goal in as many games. 

Scottish Premiership

Joe Shaughnessy 6

Charles Dunne 5

Alan Power 6

Connor Ronan 1

Red card.

The answer is that it's probably not the same person. While these ratings are brilliantly pulled together and always worth a read, it's always important to consider the biases involved. We have seen, for example someone with an agenda against Doherty constantly rinse him or simply just give him a mark or two what is probably reasonable (albeit that's coming from an Irish supporter trying to manage their own biases!). 

1/3/22

League 1

Luke McNally 7.5 (Star Man)

Defensively strong and a threat going forward. Dominant in the air, while he brought the ball out of defence well and is starting to master the overlapping centre back role. Great finish to give United hope.

2/3/22

FA Cup

Will Smallbone 7

In his first appearance for the first team since December, he tried a few early flicks that didn't come off. Generally neat and tidy in midfield thereafter and put in a couple of testing deliveries from the right in a good shift as he got 80 minutes.

Shane Long 6

Playing up top alongside Adam Armstrong, he got up in the air well to win headers and flick-ons against Kurt Zouma and Issa Diop.

Took a couple of heavy falls and a knock before being replaced at half time.

Peter Kioso 7.5

Came in at right wingback and with Town understandably not seeing too much of the ball, his opportunities to get forward were fairly limited. Still got stuck in against his more illustrious opponents all evening though with some important clearances.

3/3/22

FA Cup

Seamus Coleman (59 for Mykolenko) 6

Solid outing for the last half an hour.

4/3/22

Championship

John Egan 4

Had a shocker of a first half. Sloppy and gave the ball away on several occasions. United were all over the place at the back in the first 45 and Forest were unlucky not to go in at half-time in front. In the right place to get a crucial tackle in on Davis in the second half.

Sammie Szmodics 5.5

A mixed bag. Set up a couple of first-half half chances, but also lost the ball a bit. One snapshot just cleared the bar from 25 yards.

5/3/22

Premier League

Nathan Collins 5

Headed first half chance over and was pretty good in first half but part of defensive collapse in second.

Shane Duffy 6

On the whole did well against Chris Wood in a good old rough and tumble, of sorts. This match was a return to form for the Irishman after a rough display against Burnley in his last match.

Championship

Darragh Lenihan 6

Needed to organise his defence better during the first period as Rovers were often left open at the back on a number of occasions during the first half. His personal performance was solid, and often came out the better against Fulham's attack.

Eiran Cashin 7

The young defender continues to turn in strong, composed performances. This was another.

Festy Ebosele 7

Started the game at left back but was still able to surge forward and ask questions of Barnsley. Moved to an attacking role on the right when Ebiowei went off.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman 8

The player who many Albion supporters had been calling to see - and in midfield, too. Bruce decided to change things in the middle and TGH was able to show him what he was capable of. He’s still quite raw and does make the odd wrong decision, or pass, but generally he brought energy, positivity and benefitted from playing with the more experienced heads.

Callum Robinson 6

Did okay here. Could’ve been more dynamic in possession and some of his crossing didn’t beat the first man, but he occasionally interchanged effectively with Grant and continued to be the first line of defence in the second half as Albion sat.

Sean McLoughlin 5

Steady away but couldn’t prevent Grant from notching up a brace at the MKM Stadium. 

Aaron Connolly 6

Difficult afternoon for Connolly as it just wouldn't drop for him much. Improved in the second half with his hold up play and flicks but it was a stop-start affair that didn't help his cause. You can't fault his effort though.

Alan Browne 6

Was having a hit-and-miss afternoon but not for a lack of fight or effort. And when the game reached the crunch stage, he was there to make a crucial block to deny Ryan Christie at one end and then set up Emil Riis at the other. A captain's shift.

Mark Travers 6

Made a key stop to deny Cameron Archer in the first half but could do very little about the forward's goal in the second. The shot was from close range, and the speed shot meant Travers could only proffer the obligatory attempt of a dive (same applied for their second goal) Did everything else he had to do.

Mark McGuinness 8

Back to somewhere near his best. Flew in front of a number of crosses and shots. Looked far better.

Joel Bagan (Doughty '56) 7 

Made a big impact on the left when he came on and played in Davies for the leveller.

Jack Bonham 5

Saved well from Madine in first half and collected crosses. 

Ryan Manning 6

Faced a stern test against Todd Kane for much of the afternoon. Stood up reasonably well, but like his colleagues found himself stretched as the game progressed.

Cyrus Christie 6

A pretty quiet outing compared to recent showings. Plenty of endeavour, but couldn't quite influence things as much as he might have liked.

Michael Obafemi 8 (Star Man)

Two goals and one assist. First brace of his career. His pace terrified the Coventry defence. One of his best showings in a Swans shirt.

League 1

Mipo Odubeko 4

Got his chance to start but failed to take it. Offered no goal threat and remained on the fringe of the game.

Kieran Sadlier 6

Slotted into number 10 role and looked bright on the ball after coming on.

Gavin Bazunu 8

A couple of quiet performances and showings for Gavin Bazunu before facing Accrington, he showed some great saves and was back at his best. Accrington may have lost 4-0, but they dominated in terms of regularity and volume of shots. Really commanding despite facing an Accrington team all about physical domination and set-pieces. Important timing with three away games on the spin. 

Sean Raggett 8

Pompey's in-form goal machine is not one of the forwards, but instead centre-back Raggett, who doubled the Blues' lead within ten minutes of Harness' red card. A thumping header off Ryan Tunnicliffe's lofed corner just before the hour mark doubled the Blues' advantage. A master at doing the basics so well and his form throughout this season has been nothing short of top-notch. Developing into a real leader in the way he fights and defends throughout. 

Marcus Harness 3

It turned from hero to zero very quickly for Harness, whose first half sending off left Pompey with ten men for 70 minutes and leaves them another man down for the next three games. Having been a key part of the move that led to Hirst opening the scoring, linking up well with Romeo before the latter assisted, Harness was sent off minutes later for a two-footed lunge on Ross Sykes. Having not won a foul for an Accrington challenge, he reacted badly with almost a scissor kick-esque lunge and he can have no complaints at getting sent off. He will now miss trips to Crewe Alexandra, Ipswich Town and Plymouth Argyle in the next three games. 

Aiden O’Brien 8

It was a quiet first half for Aiden O'Brien but in the second half, it was his skill that created two goals. For Hirst's second, he carried the ball some way and with a cleverness to win the corner. He then went one better minutes later, dribbling from deep in his own half, skipping past two players and teeing up Tunnicliffe to finish. A fans favourite already, the ball sticks to him like glue and his ability of close control and causing nightmares is just one of many reasons why he has been such a smart signing. 

Scottish Premiership

Jake Doyle-Hayes 6

Dan Cleary 5

John Mahon 4

Jonny Hayes 6

Has he stood out or something?