Fitness the real victory for Pompey skipper

Johnny Ertl spoke of his satisfaction following another successful pre-season work-out for Pompey.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Jul 2013, 11:00 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:35 BST
Johnny Ertl, right, in action for Pompey at Bognor as Jed Wallace looks on Picture: Paul JacobsJohnny Ertl, right, in action for Pompey at Bognor as Jed Wallace looks on Picture: Paul Jacobs
Johnny Ertl, right, in action for Pompey at Bognor as Jed Wallace looks on Picture: Paul Jacobs

The Blues clinched a 4-2 victory at Bognor on Saturday in sweltering conditions.

David Connolly, Romain Padovani, Ricky Holmes and Tom Craddock were the scorers, building on the 5-0 triumph over the Hawks last Tuesday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Guy Whittingham opted to once again field a different starting XI for each half, although this time there were no triallists on display.

And Ertl believes the Bognor win represents another crucial step forward in the players’ summer programme.

The Pompey skipper said: ‘It was another good test for us. Bognor played some decent football and have some good, good players in their side.

‘But the result is not so important pre-season.

‘What is important is that every player gets a feeling for the club right now, for the place and the players.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘I think every single player needs five or six games to get back into the habit and the pace so it needs time.

‘Right now we don’t have any injuries so we need to keep everybody fit together and just build up until August 3.

‘There were some heavy legs after a really strong week, but after having yesterday off we can get back to more football-related things.’

– NEIL ALLEN

Related topics:FitnessPompeyBognorThe Blues