Cowley: Captaincy a reward for Curtis’ hard work
DANNY COWLEY has revealed why he handed Ronan Curtis the captain’s armband at Gillingham.
The Pompey boss felt the Republic of Ireland international deserved recognition for his recent industry, as he was named skipper in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Priestfield.
Curtis was given the duty of leading the team in their hunt for success in Kent, despite the likes of Joe Morrell and Shaun Williams being involved in the absence of Lee Brown and Clark Robertson.
Cowley felt the 25-year-old warranted the honour, and it was also perhaps a way of ensuring he maintained his recent high-intensity performances.
Cowley said: ‘I thought Ronan deserved it.
‘Ronan came out of the transfer window and since it shut he’s given everything for the team.
‘He’s worked incredibly hard.
‘Take Tuesday (the 3-0 win at Lincoln), there are others who are getting the headlines, but he worked so incredibly hard for the team.
‘I thought his effort was incredible and I wanted him to know his efforts had been recognised.
‘I thought he emptied his tank on Tuesday with how much effort he put in, and I thought it (the captaincy) may just inspire him to find the energy to go again.
‘And so it proved, because he gave another wholehearted performance.’ Pompey’s sixth win of the bounce arrived with a lack of the attacking fluency so prominent at Lincoln.
Cowley was instead indebted to the likes of Connor Ogilvie and Gavin Bazunu, who made a fine second-half stop to deny John Akide with the home side claiming a penalty.
He added: ‘I thought Gavin was flawless and I thought Connor was great.
‘Kieran (Freeman) and Willo (Williams) either side of him, too. You shouldn’t underestimate how hard it is to play in a back three when all of them really are playing out of position.
‘I know what a handful and powerful man John Akinde, and what a physical side Gillingham are so to get a second clean sheet was great.’