Cult hero could feel it in his gut
Christian Saydee revealed the moment he knew the title dream was on as he lauded the unity which has driven Pompey to the Championship.
The Blues’ attacking cult hero added another glorious chapter to his list of cameos, as he left the bench and won the penalty which sparked the late comeback for the
League One title win against Barnsley.
It was another bruising entrance from the 21-yearold, as he came on with 11 minutes left and once again made a big difference for John Mousinho’s side.
It capped a maiden year which has exceeded personal expectations for Saydee, but the former Bournemouth man explained he quickly knew what Pompey were capable of doing this season when signing last June.
Saydee said: ‘I think it won’t hit me for a while what we’ve achieved, but right now I’m just buzzing and happy.
‘We’ve been holding these emotions back from the start of the season over the tough times we’ve been through - and we let them out in the dressing room!
‘I came wanting to play but, to be honest, I didn’t expect to get as much game time as what I got. So for me to play a part and score some goals towards the end of the season, I’m happy about it.
‘But I think we honestly knew it was going to be something from special from the start. When we were in Spain you could sense it. Everyone was well put together, it was 16 or 17 new lads just gelling really well together.’
Saydee, who has made 11 third tier starts plus 23 sub appearances, scoring the winner at home to Oxford and also netting at Wycombe, has been a central figure in creating a dressing room unity which has been central to Pompey’s success this season.
Prior to Tuesday, John Mousinho had never made more than three team changes in a league game this season. Then, for the biggest fixture so far, he made five – including a first start since early January for Gavin Whyte (pictured) and Paddy Lane introduced as a sub for the first time since Boxing Day.
With promotion and the third tier title now secured, the boss has some freedom in his team selections. Could the likes of Callum Lang, Christian Saydee, Paddy Lane and top scorer Colby Bishop return to the starting XI? Lang would certainly relish a start against the club he only left in January. Mousinho has sais he would love 100 points – something Pompey would reach if they won their final two games. No Pompey boss has ever achieved a century of points, and that achievement would be a huge cherry on top of the title-winning cake.