View: Clout a silver lining v Wycombe as Portsmouth eye strong production line
Portsmouth were deservedly beaten at Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup third round tie over the weekend, but there was a silver lining.
The 2-0 defeat to the League One promotion hopefuls on Friday (10 January) dumped Pompey out of the competition they famously won 17 years ago, with focus now turning to the priority of the league.
But a debut for teenage starlet Harry Clout satisfied many Blues fans, who want to see a stronger production line from the academy setup at Fratton Park.
Impressing in pre-season before a loan move to Bognor Regis Town, Clout has also starred for Sam Hudson’s Under-18s this campaign and replaced Paddy Lane on the left wing with 15 minutes to play.
Harry Clout becomes senior Portsmouth debutant
A proud day for the Clout family even if it was a night to forget for many of a Portsmouth persuasion, the young winger will have enjoyed his cameo even with his team beaten.
It provides a springboard to work towards for the youngster, who was joined on the substitutes’ bench by fellow U18 stars Tayo Singerr and Michael Ani – the duo have been shining lights for Hudson in the Youth Alliance League.
Pompey have been criticised by concerned fans who feel there is no pathway for the club’s local young players, due to the lack of Under-21 bridge between the scholars and the men’s first team.
The entire crop of second-year scholars were released last summer with none deemed ready to challenge for Championship football, with some academy talent moving to Premier League clubs.
However, the cup night at least provided a matchday experience for a young trio which yielded a senior debut for arguably Portsmouth’s most promising teenage talent.
In other Portsmouth news, Ian Darke gauges how the Eisners have progressively understood the size of Pompey as a club.
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