Joe Gallen won’t let Portsmouth get carried away by top spot

Posted Sunday, September 30, 2018 by PA

Portsmouth assistant boss Joe Gallen said the new Sky Bet League One leaders would not get carried away by moving top of the table following their 3-1 win at Rochdale.

Pompey had to recover from conceding a stunning Aaron Wilbraham strike in the third minute to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with goals from Jamal Lowe, Brett Pitman and Matt Clarke.

And it was the manner of their recovery which most pleased Gallen.

“I’m not sure being top of the table at this stage makes much difference – but winning away from home breeds confidence,” he said. “Top of the table is nice but it doesn’t mean anything at this stage, it’s just better to be there than at the bottom of the table I suppose!

“We’re really pleased to come away as 3-1 winners from what is always a tough place to come. It was a thoroughly professional performance.

“They came out very lively and it was a brilliant goal from Aaron Wilbraham – our goalkeeper had no chance. But I am glad to say that the reaction from our lads after that was superb, we performed very well, created numerous chances and got ourselves back in the game, which was very pleasing being away from home.

“It can be tough coming from a goal down so early on when you are away from home because it gives the home team confidence. The reaction to going a goal down so early on was the most pleasing aspect of the game because I thought, when they scored, we could have a wobble here. But we didn’t.”

Wilbraham’s dipping 25-yard volley put Pompey on the back foot but they hit back strongly with Nathan Thompson’s shot hitting the crossbar before Lowe turned in Pitman’s clever delivery across the face of Rochdale’s goal in the 25th minute.

Pompey goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray parried shots from Andy Cannon and Ollie Rathbone at the start of the second half, but the game swung the visitors’ way in the 70th minute when Pitman flicked Lee Brown’s cross wide of Josh Lillis.

And 10 minutes later Clarke wrapped up the win when he smashed a shot into the roof of the net.

“They make good footballing decisions on the pitch, they have the experience, good leadership qualities and the difference between the two sides was their decision-making on the pitch,” said Rochdale boss Keith Hill.

“They are a good side. I thought we played some nice stuff at times but I am disappointed with the result and a little disappointed we didn’t push on having taken the lead.

“You have to respect your opponent and sometimes you can’t stop an opponent. If they are better than you it’s very difficult. There wasn’t any lack of work-rate, energy, honesty or endeavour, I just feel they were probably better than us in every department and there is no shame in that.”