Futacs staying positive about future
120578-551_BARNSLEY_POMPEY_SR_18/2/12 Action from Pompey vs Barnsley at Oakwell. Marko Futac fires in a cross. Picture:Steve Reid (120578-551)
In times of adversity, you find out much about your character.
So a lot is going to be revealed about the fibre of the smallest squad in the Football League over the final 15 games of the campaign.
The signs are the men within Blues boss Michael Appleton’s depleted ranks are prepared to come out fighting after the club went into administration last week.
They are still waiting for their wages to be paid and, in theory, could have demanded to be released from their contracts over non payment.
But the attitude has been one of unity in adversity, with fans and staff finding a resolve and fighting spirit in tough times.
Pompey striker Marko Futacs admitted he is fully aware he and his team-mates have embarked on a testing journey.
That was underlined by the decimated squad which travelled north to Barnsley on Saturday.
Appleton had just nine fit senior outfield players to pick from before former loanee George Thorne was recruited on emergency loan from West Brom on Saturday.
It’s clear it’s going to be a testing and treacherous road.
The 10-point deduction and weekend loss underlined that as Pompey fell into the Championship’s bottom three for the first time this season.
But Hungarian Futacs believes he can face those challenges head on – and learn from them.
And coming through the storm and surviving in the Championship will stand him in good stead for the rest of his playing days.
The 21-year-old is convinced – even with 10 points being deducted and the huge problems Pompey face – the club will be celebrating survival on April 28.
‘If I get through to the summer, it will be a big positive,’ said Futacs.
‘I can learn so much from these two or three months.
‘There’s going to be some tough times.
‘But if I can do well it will be good for me for the next five or 10 years of my career.
‘After getting 10 points taken from us, the most important thing is to stay in the division.
‘We are going to do our all for that.
‘We have a small squad but we are going to stay together. We can easily stay in this division.’
Futacs has been encouraged by his link-up play with Erik Huseklepp in recent games.
Appleton opted to use Huseklepp in a withdrawn role at Peterborough and the Norwegian international revelled in the position in the 3-0 win.
There has been signs of promise since between the pair – especially in the 1-1 draw at Blackpool, where the former Bari ace carved out a host of chances.
The partnership was broken up at Barnsley, with injuries forcing Appleton into a reshuffle.
But Dave Kitson’s dismissal in that game increases the chances of the strike pair teaming up once more for the visit of Leeds United on Saturday.
Futacs believes the duo have what it takes to score the goals to keep Pompey afloat.
He said: ‘It has worked very well for us.
‘We saw that against Peterborough and against Blackpool.
‘It was really good and I think it can carry on.
‘Maybe it wasn’t so good against Ipswich but I think it can be better against Leeds.
‘To play like that in our first game against Peterborough – I think it will work.
‘If we are going to play that way more and more, we will get better and better.
‘I think we can win more games that way.’
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Comments
There are 19 comments to this article
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pfcbutton
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:32 PMA good young sriker - one game at a time Marko - enjoy it !
russian chris
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 03:30 PMI see the news is at it again- i thought the players went up on Friday by coach,but the News now says they went up on Saturday. Must have left early in the morning to get to Barnsley in time,no wonders they were tired and lack lustre!! I rely on this paper for Pompey news but im wondering if it would be better to make our own stories up!
southseasteve
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 01:58 PMblueshirt - as pompey and proud kindly pointed out my message was very obvoiously tongue in cheek. I disagree with you however, but do you know what? that's fine, people can have different opinions. I am a life long Pompey fan..... times are a bit hard so why don't i become a Liverpool fan instead? Never.... and common sense has nothing to do with it.... if i was blessed with the ability to play professional football i wouldn't leave Pompey for any club, for any money. believe what you like. Anyway i'm off now - abuse from S(ummers is one thing, from fellow Pompey supporters? Not worth it.
blueshirt
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 01:38 PMpost 13.. this is a very unreasonable attitude to take. Sam Magri is 17, he is a great prospect and he has the chance to further his career at what is arguably one of Europe's top clubs, why would you begrudge him that? If you were him, what would YOU do? I can just imagine you "Let's see now, I have a choice between my local club, in disarray, financial difficulties and administration, points deuction and problems paying wages, OR, I can go to one the country's best clubs, with great players, superb facilities and a chance to further my career and maybe make it to the top and play for my country. Ok Pompey, I'm convinced, I'll stay!!' Yeah right!! I don't blame him at all, no matter how fierce a Pompey fan he is, he'd be a fool not to take the chance to join a top club, especially now, with us in our present situation. He wants to be a professional footballer, he will have more chance there than here. As a youth product developed by Pompey, if he moves to Anfield, we would we entitled to compensation, so his move WOULD help us out. for heaven's sake if you have to find things to moan about, there are far more moan-worthy matters in Pompeys life right now than this.....
southseasteve
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 12:51 PM@14 - don't be a pric..... oh too late.
Pompey and Proud
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 12:36 PMSouthseasteve - I note that you continuosly try to be funny with your posts. I'm afraid to break it to you, but you're not funny at all...
southseasteve
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 12:27 PMi also think Magri the 'life long Pompey fan' is an ungrateful little s**t if he goes to Liverpool..... he's a hero if stays though..... i think it's called blue tints disorder.
southseasteve
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 12:25 PMandi4asg - you missed me being a grumpy g*t who doesn't want to hear the bleedin' obvious from our captain - in the form of another negative headline on a national website. I appreciate he was probably asked a question and gave an honest answer - well... to be blunt.... he shouldn't have, everybody knows the players haven't been paid, the fans want to hear that the team is united not that they are 'affected'. I'm not a reasonable man andi4asg..... its important to understand that when reading the train of thought dribble i come out with.
andi4asg
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 12:14 PMAre Liverpool paying their wages???
andi4asg
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 12:04 PMPost 6, What did LL say that was so wrong?? he was just being honest that things have effected the players, or did I miss something
OldPompeyBlue
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 12:03 PMNice to see Gary O'Neil come off the bench last night to score for West Ham. Maynard, once a Pompey target, also scored. Champions elect I reckon as can't see any team matching them in the run in.
blue and true
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 11:19 AMwhat did ll say?
blue and true
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 11:18 AMjust heard in return for selling magri liverpool are lending us gerrard and carroll for the rest of season
southseasteve
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 10:53 AM@1 - i'll tell you one player that will be on his way if we get relegated - our captain mr Lawrence. Some negative comments he has made appearing on the BBC website today.... cheers skip. Keep Pearce as captain for the rest of the season i say. Expect better from an experienced pro whose pockets have been lined with a premiership wage for championship football.
spencerc
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 10:00 AMWe need around 25 points but 30 would be better so we survive earlier rather than last day stuff!!!
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