Ritchie reveals what’s been on his mind after crucial Portsmouth brace
Matt Ritchie has revealed the need to score more goals has played on his mind after his brace helped Portsmouth claim victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The veteran local lad fired in the two goals to turn the game on its head against promotion-chasing Boro at Fratton Park (18 January).
Ritchie, speaking to BBC Radio Solent’s Andy Moon after the final whistle (18 January), admitted inconsistency and away form has been a major issue and relaid the challenge ahead.
“It’s a step in the right direction and a much-needed three points, hopefully we can keep building. It’s a lovely feeling to score two goals but more important to help out the team with the position we’re in,” the winger explained.
“Hopefully we can continue to perform how we did, in the second half especially. There’s a lot of work to be done, as always, and at home this season we’ve been a real force, really suffocating teams. The problem so far has been inconsistency; can we consistently do the things that have brought us success home and away?
“It’s a really good day personally to score two goals, it’s been on my mind to get amongst the goals a bit more.”
Matt Ritchie provides key leadership in Portsmouth fight
Ritchie’s arrival at Portsmouth – the boyhood club he had to leave in 2010 during financial hardship at Fratton Park – was met with nostalgic admiration from the Blues faithful.
The 35-year-old however endured a slow start to the campaign in and out of John Mousinho’s side, but has since shown his importance to the starting team and leadership on the field.
He and Josh Murphy have established themselves as the first-choice wide players at Fratton Park and it becomes further proof that proven experience at this level and higher levels is the recipe for success – essentially, survival.
Paddy Lane’s confirmed long-term injury is also the latest of many this season which further rubber-stamp how vital the likes of Ritchie are towards the cause.
Ritchie plays down the personal acclaim of bagging the brace for his side – it’s genuine as well as a born-and-bred Pompey fan – but will be over the moon to have claimed the heroics in front of his own by scoring at Fratton for the very first time.
With no time to sit and admire the comeback, Portsmouth take on Stoke City this Wednesday back on home turf (22 January) – a side who hammered the Blues 6-1 back in October’s reverse fixture.
In other Portsmouth news, Pompey Women have already been very busy in the transfer window.
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