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Fixture News

Morrell: We Fell Below Our Standards

Midfielder admits Pompey were poor at Chesterfield

5 November 2023

Joe Morrell in FA Cup action for Pompey at Chesterfield
Photo: Simon Davies/Pro Sports Images
Fixture News

Morrell: We Fell Below Our Standards

Midfielder admits Pompey were poor at Chesterfield

5 November 2023

The final whistle at most Pompey games this season has been greeted by jubilant cheers from delighted fans.

So it was somewhat alien for those packed into the away end at the SMH Group Stadium to instead be cursing a defeat.

A goal from former Blues skipper Tom Naylor was enough for National League leaders Chesterfield to cause an Emirates FA Cup first round upset.

But Joe Morrell insists that the visitors will not be getting too down about the result as they look to keep impressing in the league.

The midfielder said: “It’s obviously frustrating and experiencing a defeat isn’t something that we’re used to this season.

“That’s a habit we don’t want to get into and we’re disappointed to go out of the FA Cup, but it’s important for us not to overreact.

“We want to be a team that dominates games and ultimately, our quality just wasn’t there on this occasion.

"It’s obviously frustrating and experiencing a defeat isn’t something that we’re used to this season."

Joe Morrell

“All of us were below our standards and that hasn’t been the norm for us – we’ve been able to churn out performances every week.

“It shows the strength of the pyramid that we’ve come to a National League team and got punished for not being at the top of our game.

“I don’t think our performance deserved anything more, although if we’re where we currently are in May, then nobody cares about this one.

“So we have to all stick together – which we will – and put this result behind us. We’re looking forward to Tuesday, but then I think you’ll see a much better version of us against Charlton.”

Pompey also had to contend with Regan Poole and Tino Anjorin both going off injured during the first half.

Morrell said: “That’s as disappointing as the result for us because they’ve been key players for us so far this season.

“Regan’s been immense and Tino’s just finding his feet, but you can see the quality that he’s got. It seemed like a day when nothing was going for us.”


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