The News' Neil Allen's post-match verdict of Pompey's goalless draw with Burnley.
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00:00Greetings from a quiet Fratton Park where everyone's gone home, basically apart from me, and a couple of hard-working cleaners and stewards, so, and they are working hard, they are.
00:12Still here, gone six o'clock, it's 6.30 as well. Right, what we can say about today's game actually, really encouraged by today, really encouraged.
00:22Burnley don't see many goals, they've naturally seen nine goals in 30 games and probably could have even won it.
00:31In stoppage time, the ball fell to Colby Bishop, invitingly, and he struck a right-footed shot over the bar.
00:38Now, he would be disappointed if he didn't get it on target, that's what we can ask for him, at least get it on target to test the goalkeeper, but he didn't manage that.
00:47And it was just, it was agonising, really, because he probably could have snatched it to death, like Burnley did, really, at their place.
00:56And there were a couple of other chances. Matt Ritchie had one in the first half, which went wide.
01:02And also, let's not forget, it was a stunning save from the keeper, James Trafford, to keep out Matt Ritchie in the second half, where, basically, he was left with an open goal and Matt connected with it perfectly.
01:13Nothing wrong with his shot whatsoever. And Trafford just threw himself in front of it. Brilliant, brilliant block.
01:20Wow, absolutely outstanding. You can't fault the Pogba player for that, it's just credit has to be given to the goalie.
01:28Burnley, really, their only opportunity was a moment which left their manager extremely annoyed at the end, in the 75th minute, when it was a shot from Lucas Pires,
01:42and Andre Dizelle was on the line. Andre Dizelle, by the way, man of the match, we'll get back to that in a minute.
01:48And it hit him in the chest, I spoke to Andre afterwards, it hit him in the chest. He's not sure if it hit him in his arms, but his arms were by his side, he said.
01:55He was saying it just happened so quickly, he's not quite sure what happened, but he's sure it wasn't a penalty.
02:00And more importantly, the referee decided it wasn't a penalty.
02:05And Burnley were fuming long after the game, when the referee was making his way down the line to leave the ground.
02:12Scott Parker had a few choice words to have with him, put his opinion across very strongly that he felt it was a penalty.
02:20But no penalty was given and he ended up being nil-nil. So, they were the key moments.
02:25But I just think Pompey, we know that Pompey are a completely different side at home.
02:31They've done really well at home against Sheffield United, came here and got a goalless draw.
02:36Now Burnley, probably beat Minnesota, of course, here.
02:39And the other thing about Pompey is, today they matched, kind of shockingly, with Rob Atkinson.
02:47And I tell you what, if both of those can stay fit, they will be their centre-half partnership for the rest of the season.
02:52Today, they were both excellent and something Pompey can build on.
02:56Getting that defensive solidity at centre-half, because they've used so many different combinations of centre-halves.
03:02They've used even a midfielder at centre-half. They've used a right back at centre-half.
03:06So today, they need those two to keep fit, sorry, to stay fit, because they're going to be huge for Pompey this season.
03:14And that was a backbone of the performance today.
03:17Plenty to like about Pompey's performances as well.
03:19They played some good stuff at times, went toe-to-toe.
03:22And they were led by Andre Dizelle, back in the team, booked very early on.
03:26But he was excellent, keeping the ball everywhere, closing them down.
03:30Really, really good performance from him.
03:32And I've seen several fans on Twitter, for once, agreeing with me as well that Dizelle was man of the match.
03:37I thought Rob Atkinson as well was outstanding.
03:40But Dizelle was just, I think he had a point to prove, didn't he, after doing that side recently with Hagen's arrival.
03:46So, yeah, plenty to like about Pompey's performance.
03:50And they now go to Sheffield United in the game next week, don't they?
03:54But, yet again, we're reminded that if Pompey have their first 11 available, they're a decent team at this level,
04:01especially at home, mainly at home, really, to be honest.
04:04But they're getting players coming back from injury.
04:06They're signing players now.
04:08Marlon Paxton on the bench there.
04:10And obviously, clearly, good players come in as well.
04:13So, plenty to like about today's performance.
04:15Very encouraging for everyone.
04:16And they could have won it at the end.
04:18But, you know, let's not quibble that.
04:20Very decent points.
04:21And Pompey are now 20th, three points above the relegation zone.
04:26So, that's a good night from me.
04:27Don't worry.
04:28Next game is away from home.
04:30Brilliant.
04:31And Sheffield United.
04:32And if you don't know, Sheffield United have got a brilliant home record against Pompey.
04:36But let's not get too down.
04:38It's nil-nil today.
04:39Pompey take a point.