Downing delighted to be back in team – and he wants to stay there
Injuries to Robertson and Ogilvie open door for defender to make first League One start of season. reports...
PAUL DOWNING could never have anticipated that a Hampshire Senior Cup outing on Basingstoke’s 3G pitch would herald a firstteam return.
Nonetheless, following injuries to Clark Robertson and Connor Ogilvie, the 29-year-old was catapulted into the Blues’ side to face Cambridge United on Saturday.
Downing’s first League One start since the final game of last season resulted in a 2-1 defeat which saw Pompey booed off.
Yet it was a solid performance from the centrehalf, who made way on 67 minutes for tactical reasons with the scoreline at 1-0 to Cambridge.
And with Plymouth visiting Fratton Park tomorrow night, he’s determined to stay there.
He told The News: ‘Towards the end of the week, Connor and Robbo picked up a couple of knocks, which is disappointing for them.
‘Obviously now it’s up to me to step up and produce performances that help the team win.
‘That’s why we have a strong squad, so we can deal with injuries and not be any weaker. I’ve got to make sure that I play my part.
‘Having missed so much football for myself, just to get that feeling to play on a Saturday, waking up excited, is fantastic – and you want more of it.
‘As a career, football is very up and down, you’ve got to deal with setbacks and keep trying to improve.
‘Keep coming in with a smile on your face every day and know there are good things around the corner.
‘I have tried to do that, I’ve kept working hard and the manager has shown a lot of faith in me since he’s been here.
‘After my hamstring (injury) over pre-season and then being out with Covid, which was a double whammy for me, I feel fit and strong.
‘Hopefully there’s a change of luck now for me and I can get some more minutes and start showing everyone what a good player I can be.’
In recent weeks, Downing has played 90 minutes against AFC Wimbledon in the Papa John’s Trophy and then against Basingstoke.
Saturday represented only his ninth league outing since arriving at Fratton Park in the summer of 2019.
Downing was withdrawn on 67 minutes for George Hirst, with Shaun Williams dropping in at centre-half.
Downing added: ‘At 1-0, we wanted to try to push on and go on and win the game.
‘Cambridge were banking in, so we perhaps didn’t need as many defenders on the pitch.
‘That obviously meant sacrificing myself for the team and getting more strikers on the pitch.
‘We have Plymouth next and, with the fixtures coming up, I will be ready when called up to perform.’
Meanwhile, Pompey fans are reminded that the rescheduled Plymouth game tomorrow night (7.45pm) is not included in full season tickets and will not be loaded onto any cards.
Individual tickets must be bought for this fixture, either online or from the Anson Road ticket office, with supporters receiving an eticket which can be printed at home or scanned at the turnstiles.
The game was previously pencilled in for Monday, September 6 and earmaked for television coverage on Sky Sports, but Plymouth called it off due to international call-ups.
‘You’ve got to deal with setbacks and keep trying to improve’ Paul Downing