Skipper tips Marquis to rediscover scoring touch during crucial conclusion to season
JOHN MARQUIS has been backed to overcome his profligate Crewe outing against MK Dons.
Tom Naylor is confident the Pompey striker can hit the goal trail at Stadium MK this afternoon (12.30pm kick-off).
Marquis endured a difficult evening in Tuesday night's goalless draw at Gresty Road, squandering two glorious chances in the second half.
The ex-Millwall man had a meek penalty saved by Will Jaaskelainen in the 59th minute, while he also tamely headed into the home keeper's arms when left unmarked in the six-yard box just moments earlier.
It represented an evening to forget for Marquis, who was returning to the side following a three-match suspension and had been adoubtwithan ankle issue in the build-up.
With Ellis Harrison injured for the rest of the season with a knee problem and Jordy Hiwula sidelined due to an ankle setback, Marquis is the only senior striker Pompey have fit.
And having netted 16 goals this term, Naylor's confident the £1m signing from Doncaster will snaffle his next chance.
The Blues’ skipper said: ‘John was disappointed and frustrated but we all miss them.
‘He has got character and he will go again. If he takes the next penalty then I am sure he will score.
‘I'm sure he will score the next opportunity that he gets – even if it is from open play.’
Marquis was handed his marching orders in a 2-1 win at Shrewsbury last month for serious foul play following a tackle on Harry Chapman.
As a result, Ronan Curtis was forced to operate as a makeshift centre-forward for three matches.
However, Marquis provided Pompey with more of a focal point at Crewe, which they lacked in his absence.
Naylor added: ‘Credit to
Ronan, he had played up there for the past two or three games and did well, played well.
‘Obviously, Jono (Marquis) is a natural number nine. He pivots, gets around the centre-halves and makes good angles for us.
‘As a number nine, he is good for us up there.
‘We just need to keep feeding the ball wide, keeping feeding it to Jono's feet, others' feet, Ronan's feet and it will get us wins.’
Marquis is Pompey’s leading scorer this season with 16 goals in all competitions, 14 of them in the league – a haul bettered by just eight players in the division.
Ten of his goals came during an 11-game purple patch in October and November, however, and Marquis has netted just three times in his last 15 league and cup outings.