Mnoga will learn from tough night
HAJI MNOGA has been backed to become a better player from a tough Doncaster experience.
The hugely-promising Pompey teenager endured a testing night at the Keepmoat Stadium, as his side fell to a frustrating 2-1 reverse.
Mnoga was caught out for the first goal, as he was asked to operate as a wing-back as Kenny Jackett changed formations.
It was an approach which was ditched midway through the first half, as the 18-year-old was moved to the right-hand side of midfield before being taken off at half-time.
Jack Whatmough steadied the ship from the right-back role in the second half, but the Gosport lad had words of support for his fellow homegrown talent.
He said: ‘Haji is a fantastic young player with a really bright future in the game.
‘He’s learning and I’m the same, even at 24 I’m still learning the game.
‘He’s a young lad who’s going in the right direction.
‘There are good people in the changing room to learn from.
‘I’ve been dragged at halftime, even this season.
‘It’s just a learning curve and something that comes from experience.
‘I’m sure he’ll learn from the experience.’
Whatmough believes it’s small margins which are making the difference to Pompey’s season at present.
He added: ‘I just think we’re not getting the rub of the green at the minute.
‘I think you could see that with the chance at the end where it wouldn’t quite fall for us. There was potentially a penalty on Haji in the first half.’
POMPEY are mourning the passing of former manager Ian St John.
His family yesterday released a statement announcing the Scot had passed away at the age of 82 in hospital in Merseyside.
St John, pictured, made his name by scoring 118 goals in 425 appearances for Bill Shankly’s Liverpool, winning the league title twice and FA Cup in the process.
He was later appointed Pompey boss by John Deacon in September 1974, moving from Motherwell to replace John Mortimore.
However, St John’s two-and-a-half-year Fratton Park tenure would bring relegation to Division Three.
He was dismissed in May 1977 following 136 games in charge, containing 34 victories and 64 defeats.
It would prove to be his last management role, although he later served as an assistant at Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry.
St John, of course, would later establish himself in the media and on television, forming a hugely popular partnership with Jimmy Greaves for Saint and Greavsie on ITV.
The Scot would be replaced as Pompey boss by Jimmy Dickinson, who quit as club secretary to take up the role in May 1977.
Yesterday’s St John family statement said: ‘It is with a heavy heart that we have to inform you that after a long illness we have lost a husband, father and grandfather.
‘He passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside.
‘We would like to thank all the staff at Arrowe Park Hospital for their hard work and dedication during these very difficult times.’
■ Last night’s other League
One results: Accrington Stanley
1-2 Ipswich Town, Blackpool 1-1
Crewe Alexandra, Burton Albion
1-0 Bristol Rovers, Gillingham 3-2 Milton Keynes Dons, Hull City 2-0 Rochdale, Lincoln City 1-2 Fleetwood Town, Northampton Town 2-0 Plymouth Argyle, Oxford United 0-0 Peterborough United, Shrewsbury Town 1-1 AFC Wimbledon, Sunderland 1-0 Swindon Town, Wigan Athletic 0-1 Charlton Athletic.