Oxford United boss makes crowd remark after Pompey draw

The U’s cancelled out Keshi Anderson’s early opener with Brodie Spencer’s first goal for the club before going ahead through Will Lankshear with nine minutes left.

Andre Dozzell then found a late equaliser to rescue a point for ten-man Pompey who were without Connor Ogilvie who saw red in the first half.

“We could have done, yes, absolutely,” the Yellows boss replied when asked if his side should have won the match.

“We’ve worked so incredibly hard to get our nose in front, to get ahead in the game against really tough opposition in such an incredible atmosphere.

“We feel terribly disappointed that we’re not walking away with all three points there.”

It was another fixture where Oxford saw points evade them, with the recent draw with Charlton Athletic also seeing them concede in the dying embers.

Jamie Donley carries the ball for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

“The Charlton goal and today, are both second phases of [set pieces]. In those moments, you can go over them and over them, but every situation in that is different.

“It’s messy, there are players moving around and it’s about making sure you get attached to someone and in the box.

“We’ve been put in the box today, there’s one player free and the ball’s dropped to him and he’s stuck it away.

Cameron Brannagan runs away with the ball for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

“So, we need to make sure we improve on that.”

The red card in the first half angered the home fans, creating an even more feisty atmosphere at Fratton Park, with some items even being thrown after the dismissal.

“I was discussing it with the crowd around me who wanted to give me their opinions and they were a little bit more accepting of it after half-time when they’d seen it back,” revealed Bloomfield.

“I’ve not seen it back yet so I probably should wait before I comment.

“Stan’s dribbling the ball, gets scythed down and it’s all his fault that the player got sent off,” the U’s boss remarked sarcastically.

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Brodie Spencer celebrates scoring his first Oxford United goal against Portsmouth (Image: Oxford United)

“So, he’s getting stuff thrown at him (by the crowd).

“Obviously you don’t want to see those kinds of situations. But considering the circumstances, I think it’s always going to be that way inclined.”

“It’s a fantastic place, an incredible atmosphere.”

Will Lankshear celebrates putting Oxford United ahead against Portsmouth (Image: Oxford United)

Bloomfield also offered his two cents on the challenge which could have seen Spencer shown a second yellow card.

“From my opinion, I think it was a very clever play from the Portsmouth player.

“He’s felt Brodie trying to get back [and] cut across him, tried to get contact and go down, which is obviously an intelligent play.

“So I haven’t seen it back yet and I don’t know what kind of contact there was, if any.”