I'll be Pompey's creator

MILAN LALKOVIC is ready to take on the mantle of Pompey's creator.
Milan Lalkovic. Picture: Joe PeplerMilan Lalkovic. Picture: Joe Pepler
Milan Lalkovic. Picture: Joe Pepler

The winger believes he can handle the pressure of being tasked with carving open sides this season.

And Lalkovic is out to prove that by getting into double figures for both goals and assists.

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The 23-year-old arrives with a big reputation for his creativity after leaving League One outfit Walsall.

Lalkovic is confident he can live up to that billing after turning down suitors from the division above.

He said: ‘It’s nice to be here.

‘When I met the gaffer he left an incredibly good impression on me.

‘There were a couple of different options.

‘But when you meet the manager, everything goes well and you have a good feeling about the season then you sign. That’s what I did.

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‘I’m a winger who likes to take people on. I like to score goals, create chances and get a few assists. Maybe I can show a few skills as well.

‘I like to excite people. The manager has said I’m the type of player who makes people stand up. Hopefully I can deliver.

‘It’s always been my game since I was young. I like to create things. I like a step-over myself. Hopefully I don’t do too many. I need to balance that with getting goals.

‘I got eight assists and eight goals last season.

‘It’s not bad but the gaffer has said I have 10-plus in me.

‘I don’t have targets but I know I have it in me. The same with the assists. It comes with it. So, I’ll be working hard to achieve that.

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‘The way he wants to play suits me. The rest is up to me to deliver.’

Lalkovic has expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing in front of large crowds at Fratton Park next season.

There were occasions last season when that weighed heavily on players as Paul Cook’s side struggled to break team’s down.

The Slovakian explained that opportunity was a big reason behind his move – and he can’t see how that prospect can be a negative one.

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Lalkovic said: ‘I haven’t played in front of 16,000 fans week-in, week-out yet.

‘I haven’t played in a full stadium at home all the time.

‘That’s what happens in the Championship.

‘It’s going to be a fantastic atmosphere, and hopefully we’ll give them a lot to cheer.

‘Who likes to play in front of two or three thousand?

‘This club has recently been in the Premier League.

‘When there’s a full stadium cheering you on you surely have to enjoy that.

‘You have to finish the chances, I guess. Hopefully this season if we play well we’ll create chances and score them. That’s the main thing.

‘If it’s early doors the other teams have to come out a bit.

‘Even if it’s 0-0 at 70 or 80 minutes there’s no need to panic. If you have the game under control it can come at any time.’