Like I’ve previously said, I wasn’t as down in the dumps as some following the weekend defeat. Admittedly it wasn’t as if we had an abundance of positives for Pompey against Gillingham, but the return of Jack Whatmough was one.
📰 The one bit of good news for #Pompey today was the welcome return of Jack Whatmough ⬇️https://t.co/BjFP5l9DOT
— Portsmouth FC (@officialpompey) March 10, 2018
A first outing since September clearly pleased the local lad, even if defeat was his main focus.
He told portsmouthfc.co.uk: ‘It should be a good day for me because I’ve made my comeback, but it’s overshadowed by the defeat. But it’s still great to be back and something that I have worked really hard to achieve with the physios.’
Was there a doubt Whatmough would return? Not in his own mind.
‘There was never any doubt from me that I’d be back because I had great people around me the whole time. I trusted the physios and the surgeon, while the boys got me through it. Then I’d go home and my family would get me through it,’ added Whatmough.
His return also pleased Kenny Jackett as he rates him.
Jackett told portsmouthfc.co.uk: ‘Jack’s been unlucky with injuries in his short career, but I rate him as a player and he showed a lot of promise.’
Such a return also brought joy to a number on social media, for many it was ‘the only positive.’
Thought @JackWhatmough3 played well today, really pleased he`s back 👍🏼. A real positive.
— Emma McVie 🏴 (@e_mcvie) March 10, 2018
Great to have you back Jack. You did well to last for most of the game and you are looking good. Keep up the good work. Onwards and upwards. 👍
— Lin Warner (@rubyhants) March 10, 2018
Only positive of today is having you back!
— LORRAINE WELLS (@WELLS35) March 10, 2018
The only positive today was having @JackWhatmough3 back 🙌🏻 what a player!
— Lee Crowhurst 🇬🇧 (@LeeCrowhurst) March 10, 2018
Great to see the big lad back….about the only positive to come out of today
— dave the Shuk (@davethedog1234) March 10, 2018
It had been suggest by a friend of mine ahead of the game, when we had a chat, that Whatmough should not only return to the starting XI, but do this is place of Christian Burgess, who has been off it recently.
This rest would see him come back stronger according to this particular Twitter user.
Good player he should get played over burgess I feel that burgess could use a little rest so he can come back strong
— Harry Hughes 👌 (@hazzaYT) March 10, 2018
Returning to Whatmough and his actual return, I’m assuming the amount of injuries suffered this season accelerated his first team return. However, he didn’t let us down as the defender looked the part in a three-man central defence.
Whatmough’s never been blessed with pace, so his latest comeback shouldn’t be an issue. But, without putting too much pressure on him, so long as he doesn’t sustain another serious setback then Saturday filled me with optimism Jack is indeed back!
PLAY UP POMPEY
Follow @VitalPortsmouth.
2017-18 Prediction League – March
Oldham (a) Saturday 17th March 2018 – click here.
Oxford (h) Sunday 25th March 2018 – click here.
Walsall (a) Saturday 31st March 2018 – click here.
