In this series we look at those players that have (for whatever reason) left the corridors of Fratton and gone on to pastures new .. either up or down the league ladder or onto foreign shores.
This week we look at another of Michael Appleton’s signings Darel Russell; The 32 year old journeyman who joined Pompey, played 15 or so games in half a season then claimed he wanted to win trophies and left with his black bin bag and boarded a flight to Canada and to my knowledge has yet to win anything at all.
When Russell joined Pompey in August 2012 Michael Appleton claimed the 31 year old who had come through the ranks at Norwich before moving onto to Stoke, Preston and Charlton was “a combative midfield player with an aggressive touch” and because he had been promoted out of the league twice “knows what it takes to win games at this level.” Ironic then, that he left Pompey in January when Pompey were winless in 15 games !
Russell turned up in March later in the year at Toronto FC where he now ply’s his trade in the MLS.
As always we need to look at the position from Darel Russell’s point of view and gauge whether he could he have furthered his career or reputation by playing League Two football with Pompey rather than catching a transatlantic flight to follow a well trodden path that rarely does anything other than line an ageing players pockets for a few years….. So as has become the norm I want to know…
‘was leaving Pompey, A good move or bad move ?’
The decision is yours …
Click here to make your prediction: Plymouth v Pompey.
Share this article
