Gaffer for a day: Pompey 1 Plymouth 2

Alex Judd, 26, from East Finchley gives his verdict on Pompey's defeat to Plymouth.
Michael Smith celebrates his goal. Picture: Joe PeplerMichael Smith celebrates his goal. Picture: Joe Pepler
Michael Smith celebrates his goal. Picture: Joe Pepler

Have you come to terms with that yet, Alex?

Those two goals in as many minutes knocked the wind out of the fans and players.

When that happened I sensed there was no coming back.

Before then we’d had a solid game, with the front four playing with the energy required.

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We were cruising, well on top, had lots of chances but unfortunately it has been a familiar story all season. We couldn’t kill them off.

Plymouth found some energy and somehow we weren’t prepared for that.

It was a total shock to the players and the fans.

So how did it happen?

Firstly they brought on Reuben Reid.

He may have looked two stone overweight but he lifted their whole team and the travelling support.

However, we became unstuck for the first goal through Paul Jones, who for three-quarters of the match had looked pretty solid.

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He called for the corner, flapped and it ended up in the back of the net.

The second goal saw Gregg Wylde nutmeg both Ben Davies and Jones with his well-placed shot, which was unfortunate.

Who stood out for you?

Michael Smith was my man of the match, he stood up to the challenge against a very physical team and never stopped chasing anything down.

Being a lone striker, you have to demonstrate work-rate and that is what Smith does, although he should have been taken off after 75 minutes because he was shattered.

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When Kyle Bennett put that ball through for him just before their equaliser he struggled to get to it.

He’s a big man with a presence, who is good at holding up the ball.

And automatic promotion hopes?

It is unlikely now, but stranger things have happened.

I actually thought that would be it at the final whistle, but looked at results around us and we have been given another life.

We’ve had so many lives you wonder when it is going to run out!

All we can do is concentrate on our own game and not pay attention to anyone else. Then just wait and see.