‘No one will help us’ – Portsmouth ace makes ‘Suffering’ admission
Matt Ritchie has issued a rallying call to his Portsmouth teammates following a frustrating defeat to Plymouth Argyle.
The 1-0 loss at Home Park [5 November] came despite dominating large periods of the game and creating opportunities, blowing the chance to draw level on points with the Pilgrims and instead finding themselves five points adrift of safety after 14 games.
Ritchie, speaking to BBC Radio Solent’s Andy Moon [5 November], said his side must relish the task of survival in the Championship this season.
“No one will help us, we have to do that for ourselves. Only hard work will get us out of the position we find ourselves in,” he insisted.
“We performed really well at Plymouth and nullified their threat, but they took their one chance. Our mentality has to get us out of this.
“You’ve got to relish the challenge, love the challenge. If at the end of it we’ve achieved our goal of sustaining Championship status, it’ll taste all the better for the suffering we’re having now.”
Portsmouth suffer huge setback at Plymouth
Portsmouth lost that game on Tuesday night in the most hair-tearing of circumstances.
A lack of sharp attacking edge up front saw no created chances converted, while a double defensive lapse handed ex-Southampton striker Michael Obafemi the baton to score the decisive goal for Plymouth.
Wayne Rooney even admitted on Sky Sports [5 November] after the game that the Blues will be disappointed with their defending, with the ruthlessness of the Championship there for all to see.
The concern arises from the idea that the first few fixtures of the season would be difficult but then results would pick up, but by and large, they haven’t.
Next up comes a return to Fratton Park against a Preston North End side hardened to second tier football, even if unglamorous. Any nous Pompey do have must be applied Saturday [9 November] or another defeat will arrive.
In other Portsmouth news, the Blues’ key performer this season may have to be rested.
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