Macca rues loss of key man Davis
Alan McLoughlin today warned Pompey replacing Sean Davis is a thankless task.
And he has urged fans not to question the newly-unveiled Bolton midfielder's Blues loyalty.
Davis yesterday completed his long-anticipated Reebok Stadium, penning a three-year deal.
It brings an end to the three-and-a-half year Fratton Park career of a player who was a crucial part of the Great Escape, featured in the triumphant FA Cup run and was instrumental in last season's survival.
The 29-year-old is a player who polarises opinion among Blues fans, though. McLoughlin, for one, is sorry to see him go.
He said: 'Players like Sean are hard to find, they are quite rare.
'Lots of players want to be on the ball, lots want to play lovely passes. That's what they think they should be doing and I agree.
'But you need other players like Sean with the energy to get the ball back and give it those players. There aren't that many about.
'Too many flair players unfortunately doesn't work. I would pick Sean any day over Laurent Robert.
'People have criticised him but he played some fantastic games for this football club and energised the team. His enthusiasm rubbed off on other players and he lifted the crowd at times with his commitment.
'He doesn't give the ball away cheaply either. Sulley Muntari was an explosive player and dynamic, but certainly gave the ball away a lot more.
'Maybe Sean had a few more goals in him. I would have also liked to have seen him a bit further forward instead of picking up the ball from the back four.
'Sean will be a miss, though.'
McLoughlin also sprung to the defence of Davis amid accusations of failing to show the club loyalty.
Some Pompey fans are incensed at his decision to turn down a three-year deal to instead set-up home at the Reebok Stadium.
It's not a view the former Republic of Ireland midfield prescribes to, though. He added: 'People talk about loyalty but here is a player who signed a contract and served out its length.
'You could never question his commitment to the team. Even when he was expecting to leave at the end of the season, he would go out there, get stuck in, lifting the crowd at times with a tackle.
'Most would have thrown in the towel in the knowledge they would be off – but that lad just got on with it.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
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