MIDFIELDER SEEKING ANOTHER COMING-OF-AGE SHOWING
IT WAS just more than three years ago when Bloomfield Road provided the arena for Ben Close’s coming-of-age performance, writes WILL ROONEY.
A stand-out display in a riproaring 3-2 victory pointed towards him being the latest academy graduate whose career would only take one trajectory.
After starting Kenny Jackett’s reign as Pompey boss behind fellow youth product Adam May, Close had plucked away when coming off the bench to win a starting spot in central midfield.
On the back of numerous encouraging performances, it was against Blackpool when he truly came to the fore.
Close was man of the match. He knitted everything together immaculately in the engine room, with his saved shot also leading to Brett Pitman’s opener.
But when Close returned to the Fylde coast this week, there wouldn’t have been too many in the away end in November 2017 who’d have predicted he’d be in his position now,
The Southsea midfielder finds himself out of favour at PO4 and battling to once again
establish himself.
In the 1-0 loss at Blackpool on Tuesday, Close came on as a 60th-minute substitute when the game was still goalless.
However, the 24-year-old struggled to influence things. In fairness, a switch to use Ellis Harrison as a focal point meant the middle third was often bypassed but, even so, Close’s involvement wasn’t how he’d have liked.
It wasn’t too long ago that there were fears Championship clubs would start sniffing around Close.
Adding goals, particularly from long range, was another attribute he could boast along with his possession-based style. Monikers of Pompey Piro, Pompey Xavi and Pompey Iniesta were bandied about frequently.
Things have never been plaining sailing for Close. Competition is what he’s become accustomed to.
But, as things stand, the former Priory School pupil has featured just 10 times this term, with a solitary League One start to his name.
The switch to a 4-4-2 formation has meant there’s one fewer midfield role in the starting XI, with Andy Cannon and Tom Naylor establishing themselves as Jackett’s preferred duo.
A central midfielder could be high up the manager’s shopping list when January comes around. That could push Close further down the pecking order and limited his game-time further.
With seven games remaining before the winter window opens, there remains ample opportunity for Close to recapture his sparkle.
But a similar coming-of-age performance to that one at Bloomfield Road three years ago is required.