Hughes immediately reacts to ‘frustrating’ pre-season news at Portsmouth
Portsmouth’s pre-season schedule is taking shape as they prepare for a second campaign in the Championship.
The Blues have announced their first batch of pre-season fixtures, as well as a training camp in Bratislava, which will include an open training session that supporters can attend.
However, Pompey fans have been vocal on social media about one pre-season decision for Slovakia that has annoyed them.
Now, sporting director Rich Hughes has spoken to the media to address that decision.
Portsmouth sporting director defends ‘frustrating’ pre-season decision
The decision in question was not to arrange a pre-season friendly while the squad was in Bratislava.
Many fans suggested a friendly match would make it more worthwhile for them to travel to Slovakia and support the team.
But, in an interview with The News, Hughes explained that the decision was made in the best interests of the players’ fitness.
He said: “I totally understand the frustration of fans, they want us to play a game abroad, I know they love it.
“We just think it’s not the right thing to do from a loading perspective. It’s a footballing decision not to play a game while we are out there.”
The Pompey squad will be in Bratislava for six days, with the open training session taking place on 12 July.
Their current pre-season schedule includes trips to Woking (15 Jul), Farnborough (16 Jul), Crawley (19 Jul) and Havant and Waterlooville (29 Jul).
No pre-season fixture at Fratton Park has been announced yet, although one could be arranged closer to the start of the season.
Pompey will get priorities right this summer
Portsmouth supporters have every right to criticise the decisions made by their club.
However, they should be aware that the priority during these weeks is ensuring that the squad is fit and ready for the first game of the Championship season.
That’s more important than arranging glamour ties against exciting opposition overseas.
| Portsmouth confirmed pre-season friendlies | |
| Woking | 15 July |
| Farnborough | 16 July |
| Crawley | 19 July |
| Havant and Waterlooville | 29 July |
A benefit of having the same coaching team in place for several years is that the players can enjoy a consistent approach to pre-season.
The summer’s other priority will be recruiting new players to give Pompey the best possible chance of improving on this season’s 16th-place finish.
Some talented players have been linked with a move to Fratton Park, including Gambian forward Abdoulie Manneh, while it’s also looking more likely that Rob Atkinson could return.
If the Blues could get these transfers over the line, that would surely help to ease the supporters’ frustrations.