Portsmouth star needs to step up a level after confirmed contract news
Portsmouth announced a new contract for one player recently, though he needs to show his worth by improving his performances.
Portsmouth appear to be on course for Championship survival off the back of their shock 1-0 victory at home to league leaders Leeds United.
The season is far from over yet, though plenty of the pressure has certainly been lifted at Fratton Park ahead of the final games, with decisions already being made ahead of the summer.
One of those decisions has seen a new deal awarded to one player who has perhaps not impressed as much as he is capable of.
Regan Poole needs to show more at Portsmouth
Despite having played just 17 times for Pompey this season, Regan Poole was recently rewarded with a new contract at Fratton Park.
It is a showcase of the faith that Portsmouth have in the defender to contribute going forward, though he will need to re-pay that faith with his performances on the pitch, which, as of this season, have been far below the standard everyone knows he is capable of.
| Portsmouth | Appearances | Tackles won | Duels won | Yellow cards |
| Regan Poole | 17 | 13 | 72 | 4 |
In those 17 games, Poole has recorded a fairly poor 75 per cent pass accuracy from 433 passes. When taking into account how composed he usually is, this is far below the standards he should be setting for himself [FotMob].
The defender has won just 13 tackles this season, resulting in a 46.4 per cent success rate, with his 45.2 success rate in aerial duels doing very little to make up for it.
Simply put, Poole is a very good defender for this level, though he is yet to replicate those standards that have earned him such a reputation.
Poole contract showcases faith instilled by Portsmouth
Regardless of where a team are in the league, having faith in your players is one of the biggest aspects behind any potential success, and the new deal for Poole is a showcase of that.
Not only does it settle things around the training ground, but it also provides an incentive for players to step up a level to get awarded with a new deal.
As the season edges closer to completion, more decisions will be made on that front, and it will paint a clearer picture of the work that is needed in the summer.