There’s sense in club keeping Pitman - but it’s a long route back for the former captain
CANFORD Park Arena sees a former fans’ favourite return – with Copnor Road losing one.
Brett Pitman is now training with Bournemouth’s under-23s, having firmly fallen out of Kenny Jackett’s Pompey plans.
After being left out of the past seven match-day squads, the striker has been shoved even further into the Blues wilderness.
Speaking to The News, Jackett insisted the striker’s Fratton Park career isn't over and has refused to completely slam the door shut.
But given his current predicament, it appears a long road back for a player who started the season as club captain.
Stuck on 42 goals in 99 appearances following a 2017 summer arrival from Ipswich Town, the likelihood of the 32-yearold becoming the Blues’ latest centurion is highly improbable.
It’s a decision that's caused the debate to rage among the Fratton faithful, primarily because of the timing of it.
The transfer window hasn’t even been shut a week, yet Pitman has been jettisoned.
There was plenty of speculation whether the forward would be at PO4 beyond January 31, with League Two clubs Swindon Town and Plymouth Argyle both known admirers.
One of the club’s highest earners but completely out of favour, getting Pitman off the wage bill would have made total
Brett Pitman has made 99 appearances for Pompey since joining in 2017
Picture: Joe Pepler financial sense.
The former Bristol City man wasn’t pushed out the exit door on deadline day, though.
He was comfortable to remain in his situation with less than six months remaining on his current three-year deal.
Sections of supporters have queried why Pompey didn’t come to a mutual agreement and terminate Pitman’s contract. At least that would have saved some cash.
But Jackett is too pragmatic to have even executed such an idea. In fact, it would have been folly to do so. With the Blues firmly in the hunt for League One promotion, it wouldn’t be worth offloading someone with Pitman's nous and experience for the sake of a few quid.
Imagine if Pompey reached the play-off final, but for a freak reason Ellis Harrison, John Marquis and Oli Hawkins were all unavailable. The backlash would be why was Pitman allowed to depart?
It’s unlikely Pitman’s situation will change in the foreseeable future, with his Cherries regime set to continue.
Yet Jackett can rest easier knowing he has a sound replacement available at the other end of the phone if required.
There’s no guarantee, though, such a phone call would be welcomed by a player well and truly out of the Blues loop.
– WILL ROONEY