Ryley Towler makes declaration on future after starring in Portsmouth season opener
Ryley Towler has discussed his future at Portsmouth after making just his second start in six months at Leeds United last weekend.
Speaking to Andy Moon of BBC Radio Solent [16 August], the centre-half has made it clear he will do what he can to stay at Fratton Park and play more games this season.
Towler played only six matches in League One last year as Pompey won promotion to the Championship, and with fellow centre-halves Regan Poole and Tom McIntyre nearing a return to fitness, competition will again rise.
“I’m at Portsmouth at the minute, and that’s where I want to stay. I’ll do everything I can to be here this season,” Towler insisted.
“I’m doing everything I can every day to keep working hard and trying to get in the team.
“The Championship is very different to League One – it’s a tough league and there’s no let-up in the fixtures. We have a good enough team to succeed in this division, and I want to be a part of that.”
Portsmouth defensive competition set to heat up
Towler ended up getting the short end of the stick of Portsmouth’s success last season, having played just six league games with only three starts.
One of those starts came in the final match at Lincoln City, a dead rubber after Pompey had lifted the League One trophy the previous week. But Towler has shown exemplary professionalism and has been credited by boss John Mousinho, amid strong talk of a loan move this season.
The 22-year-old lined up alongside Conor Shaughnessy last weekend, the Irishman who scooped the Player of the Year award having mainly partnered the now-departed Sean Raggett at the back.
Poole and McIntyre are a gifted defensive duo who have suffered with injuries since arriving at Pompey, which means Towler has a limited window to show it’s his shirt to lose.
There were a few momentary lapses and step-ups from Towler ahead of his defensive line at Leeds with his eagerness to win back possession against a dominant side, but the bubbly Bristolian is now over the occasion of his first Championship start for the Blues and can kick on.
In other Portsmouth news, David Norris says Mousinho’s man management skills will be put to the test if Pompey make this signing.
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