Callum Lang scored a sensational four goals as struggling Portsmouth came from behind to thrash Coventry City 4-1 at Fratton Park, giving Frank Lampard a further reminder of how tough a division the second tier can be.
The Chelsea legend was hired last month after the shock sacking of Mark Robins, but he is still coming to terms with the issues facing a Sky Blues side struggling to replicate the form that took them to the Championship play-off final in 2023 and an FA Cup semi-final just last May.
Norman Bassette had given Coventry the lead inside 150 seconds on the south coast but Lang – who had not previously scored a professional hat-trick – then turned the game around with a magnificent individual performance. It was hard to believe that Pompey had started the day in the drop zone.
City fans were quick to take to social media to have their say on the result – and they were not holding back. Here is what they have had to say…
The Rt Hon Sir Sidney: Thanks in advance for interviews that trot out usual soundbites – ‘not good enough’, ‘need to do better’, etc. Also, TIA for the training ground pi’s next week that pretend to show some sort of team spirit. This is an embarrassing, shambolic, relegation waiting to happen.
Mark Sephton: Pathetic! We looked scared to death second half, no character or leadership, just folded. Portsmouth have the worst home record in the Championship. We need a new LB, CB, RB and keeper. Our Defence is poor.
Jodie Turner: That’s the worst away game I’ve been to since Cambridge away. Absolutely disgraceful and embarrassing. I’m absolutely fuming.
Lloyd Slater: Defensively shocking. Needs addressing in the window. All of those goals were so so poor.
Stuart Elson: Awful. Looked timid and without any physicality. Walked over by a team that played like a team.
Andy G: Shocking performance – the players should be ashamed of themselves collectively and some individuals should really question their vocation choice. Reimburse the travelling faithful, please – they turned up and the players didn’t bother.
Ben Robbins: Could have been cruising after 15 minutes, but somehow managed to turn it into probably the worst performance of the season. The errors from Collins (again) and DaSilva (again) are unforgivable, but I don’t think replacing them two will solve all our issues. The defence looked shaky all game.
Helen Metcalfe: In the second half we looked like a high school football team playing a pro side. Pompey got the bit between their teeth and fought for it, while we fell apart. Please don’t start Collins or Da Silva again.
Jake Russell: If we are not careful, we are genuinely in a position to do a Birmingham from last year. The players have no fight. If we continue to go downwards like this, I do not back these players to get us out of it at all.
Discussion about this post