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Appleton urges weary Futacs to carry on
Marko Futacs led the line against Ipswich on Tuesday night Picture: Barry Zee
Michael Appleton has told weary Marko Futacs he will have to battle through his Pompey blip.
The Blues boss is desperate to take the Hungarian striker out of the firing line as he continues to adjust to the English game.
The 21-year-old’s form has dipped in recent weeks after bursting on to the scene with three goals in his first five starts.
Appleton believes Pompey’s gruelling fixture list is taking its toll on Futacs at present.
However, the Blues’ meagre squad size means Appleton is unable to intervene and take him out of his side for a rest.
Futacs, who has still made a massive impression since his summer arrival on a free transfer from Werder Bremen, has now started the past nine matches.
And his manager believes he will have to continue leading the line for the foreseeable future.
He said: ‘I would like to rest Marko.
‘I said when he first came into the side that it will get to a point where he needs a rest and needs to be pulled out of it.
‘But we are not in a position where we can do that.
‘He is going to have to soldier on. He is going to have to make sure he looks after himself in between the games and we will look after him the best we possibly can.
‘And he is going to have to grow up very, very quickly because it is going to be a steep learning experience for everyone – even the most experienced players in the dressing room.
‘What is happening to him now is just natural.
‘He’s a young boy who has not played much football over the last couple of years or so and is now getting his opportunity.
‘Marko has started off like a house on fire, getting himself a couple of goals, but it was always going to happen.
‘I have seen it time and time again over the last few years with various players.
‘We are where we are, it is what it is, hopefully he will get his second wind.
‘If he gets himself a goal or two over the next couple of games he might kick on again.’
Futacs was part of the Pompey side who lost 1-0 to Ipswich on Tuesday night.
It was a poor performance from the Blues, who have rallied magnificently through the continued financial problems.
In the end, however, it was to be the supporters who provided the major talking point with a Fratton Park sit-in up to 50 minutes after the final whistle.
And Appleton paid tribute to their backing.
He added: ‘They were fantastic again.
‘We went over to applaud them after the game and that was the right gesture because obviously they are appreciated.
‘We are going to need that for every home game and every away game until the end of the season.
‘We’ve got nine home games left.
‘And they are all going to be crucial.’
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Comments
There are 38 comments to this article
Page 1 of 3
nitram
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 07:47 PMGet Dan Thompson back from H&W and stick him up front.
Sheffield Blue
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 07:09 PMsurbitonsteamship, you havnt seen benjani play since he returned to Portsmouth have you?
surbitonsteamship
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 06:56 PMWhy can't h be given a rest?? Benjani hasn't started for a long time and we could do with his non stop running and energy at a time when others are tired. There are always options, another crisis dreamt up by the news.
pfcbutton
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 05:44 PMOh yes Johnnie Beresford, great side with Jim Smith .. honest and talented .. I remember beating Newcastle and Keegan in a midweek game 1-0, they had been unbeaten all season until then ..
Old Blue Eyes
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 05:24 PMKeith Viney, Chris Lawler, Alex Wilson.
Old Blue Eyes
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 04:58 PMDidn't John Beresford play LB?
russian chris
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 04:46 PMBest left back in my time was Goerge Ley. And he could burst the net with one of his 35 yard thunderbolts. Before him Roy Lunniss was ok,and could throw the ball 60 yards,or from one penalty box to the other! unfortunately his hands got the better of him,and he was sacked for nicking a handbag!
russian chris
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 04:34 PMGeorge even!
pfcbutton
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 04:13 PM@26 ah yes - the Herminator! .. Fearless eleven .. GK Knight - Back four Festa, De Zeuw, Blake, Herman .. Midfield Kuhl, Kennedy, Tait, front three Hateley, Whittingham, Futacs .. Ouch!
pfcbutton
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 04:06 PM@26 - Okay George Thorne will do! Our best left back, that is a tricky one .. Matty Taylor had it all at one point, no one else is springing to mind over the last five decades for some reason!!
bluelagoon
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 03:57 PM25 Carisbrooke - Surely Whittingham is already on a salary (unpaid salary, of course), he just needs to be registered, but at no cost to the bank account the FL would agree.
chimonkey
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 03:28 PMWhy not Halford up front or, better yet, right wing. Played ther for Wolves, Sheff Utd and Colchester. Loving discussing actual football for a change!! As for D'Alessandro coming back...haha!! Don't spoil a nice chat about footy with daft rumour ideas. The mans worth £10 mill easy these days!! PUP. KEEP THE FAITH.
carisbrooke
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 03:23 PMWent and De Zeuw centre backs, any suggestions for full back welcome. Johnson on the right, what about the left?
carisbrooke
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 03:20 PMWhittingham and Hately up front.
Devon Pfc
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 03:19 PMPost 10 Garath good point if this is all we will have in terms of players we need a strategy. Wolves did this against Man united and it payed off. I think the F.L. would have a difficult job hitting on us for not fielding our best 11 given the circumstances.
Page 1 of 3
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