Milan Lalkovic, making his last appearance for Pompey since January, prior to a loan switch to Ross County, returned from injury to face his former club Walsall on Saturday.
The improvement I refer to in the title applies to Lalkovic; admittedly he wasn’t the only one somewhat below par against the Saddlers.
Had it not been for an injury ahead of the season opener with Rochdale the chances are Lalkovic would have started the campaign in Kenny Jackett’s side – saying he appreciated the opportunity given him.
He told portsmouthfc.co.uk: ‘I’m disappointed that we couldn’t win – especially against my former team. But I was happy to be back out there again after an unfortunate injury in training just before the start of the season. The manager put his trust in me by naming me in the team straight away after only returning on Thursday.’
Walsall were credited because they ‘defended really well and frustrated us’ but Lalkovic admitted we ‘were as good as we can be.’
Lalkovic not once but twice got caught out too easily for the Walsall goal on an afternoon that wouldn’t be recalled as one of his best as he didn’t really have much of an influence on the game did he?
He’s previously proven himself at League One level, I’m sure he will again, we also have to remember it was Lalkovic’s first appearance of the season, having only returned to training a couple of days earlier.
Yes, I expect more to come from him and Lalkovic also feels there’s more to come from the Blues, ideally starting at the DW Stadium against Wigan at the weekend, where we will have to be much, much better collectively to get anything…
‘It’s a marathon not a sprint, so I’m sure we’ll work hard and be able to get back to winning ways pretty soon. It will be nice to get a full week in training and to build my fitness up a little bit more ahead of another big game at Wigan.’
In all honesty I couldn’t quite tell where Lalkovic was playing? Then again the same applied to Kal Naismith? Were they alternating from a freer role behind Pitman to the wing? Both seemed to play inside so all being well one will play wide next time… There’s more to come from Pompey, Naismith and Lalkovic I’m sure.
PLAY UP POMPEY
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2017-18 Prediction League – August
Wigan (a) – Saturday 26th August 2017 – click here.
