View: Sean Raggett is dying breed of defender who will be missed by Portsmouth
As the dust settles on Portsmouth’s sensational League One title-winning season, the club’s retained list has brought supporters back down to earth somewhat.
Not to mention the out-of-contract players, many of whom have been told to find new clubs this summer following promotion.
Among those to leave – and for many the most emotional departure – is Sean Raggett, who amassed a superb 239 appearances and 17 goals across five years in Pompey blue.
Head coach John Mousinho admitted this week it was the right time for the club and Raggett to part ways, as Pompey move in a new direction with four contracted central defenders on their books.
A rangy, commanding presence on the eye, the perception of Raggett may be that of earlier days, when he was one of Pompey’s side targeted when playing out from the back under the Cowley brothers.
But some may wonder if the cut-and-thrust, physical nature of the Championship may have seen 6’5” Raggett benefit the team for another year under Mousinho.
Statistics have also proven this season that his next club do in fact have a defender comfortable in possession, with a passing accuracy of 82%, including 65% in the opposition half [Sofascore].
His aerial ability has been recognised as his strongest suit from day one, with a duel success rate of 74%, and his defending on the deck has been exemplary during his 38 League One matches this term, being dribbled past an average of only once every five games.
How much will Portsmouth miss Sean Raggett?
The former Lincoln City man’s revival during the season owes he and his mentality a lot of credit.
Between August and October this season, Raggett played just 100 minutes of league football – 90 of those were in one start against Port Vale – a clean sheet and victory.
After a run of matches from November, the signing of Tom McIntyre knocked him out of the starting XI again. Then a long-term injury to the January recruit meant Raggett became Mr. Reliable at Fratton Park, playing every minute until he missed the final match away at his former club.
The emotion felt by Raggett upon finally winning League One promotion is reflected amongst all who watched him. He was Pompey’s longest-serving player.
And with 12 clean sheets to his name during the campaign, the immaculate professionalism he has exhibited and his growth as a player, witnessed proudly by the Pompey fans, all mean Raggett will be remembered as more than just a cult hero on the South Coast.
In other Portsmouth news, an update is given on Zak Swanson’s injury latest.
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