The lights are on, we're raring to go...

[michael]

Did anyone watch this on the webcam?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/webcams/stfc_webcam.shtml

[flammableBen]

We had a butchers. It's not updated very often and I forgot when the match started. Nice to see the CG starting to fill up though.

[Peter Venkman]

We had a butchers. It's not updated very often and I forgot when the match started. Nice to see the CG starting to fill up though.

Yeah it was our pre match entertainment! and by the sound of it there was more movement in it than in Paynter and Crouch put together!

[Iffy's Onion Bhaji]

Macca is just superb! What a player. Probably the best i have seen here for a good 5 years maybe even more tbh. Let's hope he can play like that every week the only downside will be he'll be gone next year if he does.

Impressed with the front two. The look sharp and other than Paynter's sitter going wide they both did very well. Thought Blair did well when he came on as well.

I was mainly impressed with the whole team in general though. We looked to pass rather than hoof and you sometimes wondered if we passed it too much. We look solid and organised which is a good thing.

[Samdy Gray]

I'm going for 1-3. Cox for us.

I thank you.

[Peter Venkman]

I must admit it sounded ok on the radio, quite promising going forward with Macca sounding very very lively.

Much opitmism for the coming season for the first time certainly since Wise and Poyet arrived.

Byrne did say they were in talks with 3 championship players in the "well known" positions of left back, centre midfield and right wing and that we are awaiting responses from the said players, though he did state they were Champiosnhip players I personally wouldnt be surprised to see that one of them was Shaun Maher who is on trial at Oldham at the moment.

[tans]

That Marshall was shit. MacNamee was absolutely superb, while Paynter worked hard but couldnt hit a cows arse with a banjo.

Highlight for me though was Bennetts commentary - fucking hilarious

[Simon Pieman]

That Marshall was shit. MacNamee was absolutely superb, while Paynter worked hard but couldnt hit a cows arse with a banjo.

Highlight for me though was Bennetts commentary - fucking hilarious

Crap, the only shot he missed was a sitter, but he got plenty else on target which was charged down.

Thought we looked pretty good, team closed down well and aside from the last 5 minutes looked strong and fit. Player that impressed most was undoubtedly McNamee but McGovern played one of his better games for us imo, he's somehow learnt how to tackle and even looked to take the ball on a couple of times. I hope that continues.

Paynter and Cox looked sharp up front - certainly our strongest strike partnership. Timlin was brilliant in the centre. I was quite impressed by the whole display, despite losing, the scoreline flattered Pompey and they had a strong team on the pitch.

[Leggett]

bennett did have quite a good commentary on the go in the 2nd half, mostly involving paynter being shit, blair being a bit 'special' and sahar being israeli. and then the 3rd goal scorer running like a 'tard.

[Spud]

I thank you.

It was abit easy to get the goal scorer right.

[Kinky Tom]

Good game I thought, first time I'd seen a few of the lads.  Was happy with Timlin who I'd never seen as he'd only been on loan while I was away, Macca is awesome - my old man had been enthusing about him for ages but I don't think I realised quite how good he was - he was so good I was wetting myself with laughter...

Pat and Morrison are HUGE!  I thought Paynter was good personally and linked well with Cox who was good as always.  I saw something in Marshall - he was a bit over hungry for the game I think but against L1 opposition could settle down and be a decent player.  Blair looked much stronger to me and had a decent little cameo.

My biggest question mark is when Macca gets the ball yet we often only had Cox and Paynter in the box - where is a CM charging in late?  For me that is an area where we could bag quite a few goals, hopefully Easton will take responsibility for that once fit.

There's certainly potential in this team, they looked to play the game the right way for me but it is evident those 3 positions we're talking about need filling really. 

I'd be looking for a season long loan on a left back I think, can't see Hills offering too much and a decent season out of a 19-21 year old on loan could give Kennedy the time to push through and challenge himself.

All in all, I'm pleased with how we looked and was glad I made the journey for the game.  Roll on Tranmere!

[newmarket red]

I must admit it sounded ok on the radio, quite promising going forward with Macca sounding very very lively.

Much opitmism for the coming season for the first time certainly since Wise and Poyet arrived.

Byrne did say they were in talks with 3 championship players in the "well known" positions of left back, centre midfield and right wing and that we are awaiting responses from the said players, though he did state they were Champiosnhip players I personally wouldnt be surprised to see that one of them was Shaun Maher who is on trial at Oldham at the moment.

Hes mulling over a contract from oldham so malpas better be quick.

[DV]

Agree with most of what you saidon the game DV but Paynter was largely shit last night. Didn't win the ball except on one or two occasions. his movement was as good as mine (bad). His hold up play was weak and his touch was shockingly bad. And his heading and shooting, good grief.

I disagree. He won and held up the ball a few times which is quite good considering to get into Portsmouth defence you have to be 6ft 3 strong and black!!

He did well and linked up with Cox, alot of players seem to get stick that I just dont understand. Paynter is a good League One striker and if he stays fit and plays most of the season he'll get you 15 goals. Im confident of that

Downside has to be the food kiosks!!!  Seriously crap Mr Watkins, especially as he had replied to my complaint from last season that we would see a considerable improvement this year.  Will MacNamee be a home player only, will he be able to conjure up that magic away from home?

It was a pre-season friendly. I wouldnt take too much notice of it. We were never going to open and fully man all the kiosks for a friendly. Probably more fans turned up than they expected

bennett did have quite a good commentary on the go in the 2nd half, mostly involving paynter being shit, blair being a bit 'special' and sahar being israeli. and then the 3rd goal scorer running like a 'tard.

does bennett model is commentary style on David Pleat?

[Simon Pieman]

Paynter held up the ball well I thought - especially when you're facing Distin and Campbell. Then you have to realise that for most of the first half we defended too deep (given the quality of the first half opposition line up you more or less expect that). This meant Paynter was getting even more isolated i.e. not entirely his fault is it?

I thought when we pushed on second half Paynter was linking up really well with all of the players as they got closer to him. I recall several time Paynter held up the ball and sprayed it out wide, or flicked the ball on for Cox to chase.

Paynter also chased the ball down a lot, as did the rest of the team. Also made some runs when needed to create some space. I thought it was a pretty good performance, aside from the completely unforgiveable miss.

Didn't notice people levelling much criticism at the defence, despite conceding 3 sloppy goals.

[Batch]

Sorry but we'll have to disagree. Last night he had the touch of a carthourse and mobility of La La, Dipsy, et al. The quality of opposition didn't affect this at all. Fact is McNamee put in a myriad of dangerous crosses which we converted 0.

I've got no issue with Paynter, just with his performance last night.