Williams: Having fans there gives us players an extra 10-15 per cent
Pompey playmaker enjoys the buzz of performing in front of the Fratton faithful for the first time in nearly nine months. reports...
IT HAD been eight months and 23 days – but on Saturday supporters were back at Fratton Park.
And for Ryan Williams, it raised the Pompey players’ performance levels by ‘10-15 per cent’.
Perhaps that explains why Pompey conjured up their best display of the season so far, impressively dispatching League One promotion rivals Peterborough United 2-0.
Those 2,000 members of the Fratton faithful present, including 900 in the Fratton End, were treated to an outstanding showing from Kenny Jackett’s men, who rose into fourth spot as a consequence.
And Williams, now in his second spell with the Blues, acknowledged the supporters’ ability to inspire.
He told The News: ‘100 million per cent it is better having fans back in.
‘On Saturday it was a case of when everyone was coming out, there were big smiles on our faces.
‘I’m not saying they didn’t before, but it’s such an anticlimax.
‘You get ready in the changing room and when you come out there’s no-one here, it’s silent. You can hear your own voice.
‘It’s not something you associate at this ground. Obviously you come out and there’s always a cheer.
‘It was really, really enjoyable on Saturday, much better with fans. Let’s just hope, fingers crossed, that it doesn’t go back to lockdown.
‘Having them there gives you an extra 10-15 per cent because at the end of the game, when you are running low on energy, you hear people shouting “Come on”. It makes you want to give more.
‘I’ve mentioned to Marcus (Harness) about when he scored a hat-trick at Burton. Normally he would have had the whole other end cheering, but no-one was there.
‘It was just a few people clapping – I felt sorry for him. Hopefully he can get more goals with fans here.’
Both Pompey’s goals arrived in the second half, netted by Jack Whatmough and Tom Naylor.
They capped a dominant performance from the players, who revelled in having a semblance of the Fratton atmosphere return.
And noticeably both goals were celebrated by the team heading to corners of the ground where fans were sat.
Williams added: ‘When we run onto the pitch you can see the excitement in fans’ faces. When they are there, we as a group go over and celebrate with them.
‘That’s what happened on Saturday. It’s not one person celebrating – everyone is over there because everyone wants to do well.’
POMPEY owner Michael Eisner’s had his say as his team turned on the style with fans returning against Peterborough United.
‘Nice to have the fans back to help #Pompey win in style,’ the American wrote when taking to Twitter after the game.
President of Tornante and club director, Andy Redman, was quick to acknowledge the role supporters played in the tempo their team played out.
He tweeted: ‘Nice 2-0 win for @Pompey this morning where the impact of fans at Fratton Park was very clear! Great goals from @ JackWhatmough3 (his 1st at home) and another from skipper @tomnaylor_7
Eric Eisner summed up the occasion succinctly when retweeting his father’s words.
He said: ‘Can’t underestimate the power of the #bluearmy.’
Let’s just hope, fingers crossed, that it doesn’t go back to lockdown.
Ryan Williams