Portsmouth v Walsall: Josh Gordon focused on the positives

The Saddlers travel to Fratton Park having let a two-goal lead slip to draw with 10-man Sunderland on Saturday.

After Max Power received a first-half red card, Dean Keates’ side created numerous chances to win the game.

Andy Cook saw a legitimate goal ruled out for offside and George Dobson hit the post before strikes from Gordon and Josh Ginnelly put them in a commanding position at the Banks’s Stadium.

Cook, Luke Leahy and Morgan Ferrier then all had chances to grab an elusive third.

But that goal never came with Aiden McGeady pulling one back for the visitors before Lynden Gooch broke Saddlers’ hearts with an 89th-minute strike.

Speaking after the game, boss Keates told his players they have to improve their game management if they are to compete higher up the table.

And that is something Gordon agreed with heading into tonight’s clash against the leaders in League One.

“It’s games like the Sunderland one we have to work on – we did well, but we didn’t take the three points,” the striker said.

“They are a good team and maybe before the game you would say a draw is a good result.

“But when you are 2-0 up, you should go on and get the three points.

“The big positive though is we didn’t lose and we extended our unbeaten run to three games.

“And we have shown before we are a team that can bounce back.

“Everybody here has got you back. We haven’t got time to sulk, we are going to go again at Portsmouth.”

Sunderland started the brighter of the two teams on Saturday with Jack Ross’s men winning eight corners in the first 13 minutes.

But Gordon feels Walsall deserve credit for the way they dealt with that threat.

“They started bright – but I thought we dealt with it well,” he continued.

“They had a lot of corners and we’ve conceded a few from corners lately.

“But we nullified that. We got into the game and started doing what we do best.

“We were getting the ball wide, breaking the lines and started brightly at the start of the second half.”

Gordon’s goal was his first in League One since joining Walsall from Leicester in the summer.

But the forward admitted failing to win the game had taken the gloss off the moment.

“Any time I can get a goal it feels good,” he said.

“But to get a goal against a side like Sunderland was pleasing.

“I was happy with it, but with the way the result ended up – it kind of takes the happiness out of it a little bit because we deserved to get the three points.”

Gordon has now started Walsall’s last three games with the 24-year-old impressing alongside Cook.

And Keates felt his goal against Sunderland had been coming.

“He (Gordon) works tirelessly,” the boss added.

“That goal has been coming.

“It will do him the world of good and hopefully he can add to it over the next few games.”

Likely line-up:

Subs: Dunn, Fitzwater, Wilson, Ronan, Osbourne, Kouhyar, Ferrier.

Portsmouth (4-2-3-1): MacGililivray, Thompson, Whatmore, Clarke, Brown, Thompson, Naylor, Lowe, Evans, Curtis, Hawkins.

The opposition: Pompey flying as they eye Championship return

The first team in the Football League to surpass 40 points, Portsmouth have enjoyed an outstanding start to the 2018/19 campaign.

Kenny Jackett’s side have won 12, drawn five and lost just one of their opening 18 league games – with that run seeing them build a four-point lead at the top of the table.

It’s the manner in which they have done it though that has really pleased the Pompey faithful, with a strong team ethic at the heart of their success.

Currently in their first full season under the ownership of ex-Disney chairman Michael Eisner, their transfer activity in the summer was expected to be more high profile.

But goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray was snapped up having been Shrewsbury’s No.2 last year.

Ronan Curtis arrived from Derry City while Tom Naylor was brought in from Burton Albion.

All three though have been a revelation.

Curtis has been the particular standout with the wideman on 10 goals already this season. And his eye-catching displays have led to international recognition with the 22-year-old named in the last two Republic of Ireland squads.

While last year there was an over reliance on Brett Pitman for goals, this year the veteran striker is finding it hard to get into the starting XI.

Oliver Hawkins has been preferred in attack with Gareth Evans in the No.10 role and Curtis and Jamal Lowe either side.

And worryingly for Walsall, all those players are comfortable in front of goal with Hawkins having netted five in his last seven while Lowe has seven for the campaign.

Hawkins is the focal point with the striker eager to bring in the three players behind him.

But while Portsmouth are strong going forward, they also boast a mean defence with Jackett’s side having conceded just 15 goals so far.

Key to that resolve is centre-back Matthew Clarke, who is believed to be interesting clubs in the Championship.

And he has formed a strong partnership with youth-team graduate Jack Whatmough.

One player who won’t be involved tonight though is Wolves loanee Joe Mason, who misses out through injury.

However, the forward has struggled to settle at Fratton Park and is unlikely have started even if he was available.

Pie and a pint:

The Good Companion, five minutes from the ground, serves a host real ales and welcomes away fans.

Worth a look:

Febian Brandy scored the first and set up Will Grigg as Walsall secured a 2-0 win over Portsmouth in January 2013.

Key man:

Needed to protect his defence and create further forward, George Dobson is key to Walsall’s chances.

Danger man:

Oliver Hawkins

A targetman integral to Portsmouth’s 4-2-3-1 system, Hawkins’ hard work gives the likes of Jamal Lowe and Ronan Curtis the space to cause havoc.

But the forward also knows where the net is with five goals in his last seven games.