Utaka joins the strikers' queue
At long last, there was just a brief glimpse of the old John Utaka in the defeat to Aston Villa.
The blistering pace and the desire to run at defenders was back after he was thrown into the fray as Pompey's search for an equaliser reached a frenzied finish.
He has become Pompey's great enigma after bursting on to the scene in spectacular fashion at the start of last season.
After a 7m move, he struck a debut goal at Derby County and those memorable solo efforts against Bolton, Newcastle and Reading – as well as a close-range effort against Manchester City.
And, of course, let's not forget the small matter of providing the cross for Kanu's FA Cup winning strike.
On paper, that's 36 appearances and five goals.
There have certainly been less productive debut seasons in English football from expensive foreign imports.
But Utaka has never fully convinced, despite those flashes of inspiration.
His laid-back demeanour can make him appear lazy or disinterested, and the inconsistency has supporters tearing their hair out.
Injuries have not helped his cause, with a succession of hamstring, groin and thigh problems this term.
But the reluctant winger may just have breathed new life into what appeared to be a floundering Pompey career by re-inventing himself as a central striker – a position he always felt was his best.
When Utaka got the nod to replace Kanu ahead of David Nugent as a 74th-minute substitute in the Villa game, a couple of purposeful runs – one just over-run at the vital moment – would suggest he is now ready to grasp his opportunity when Tony Adams hands it to him.
Adams said: 'John sees himself playing through the middle, but I think he is in a queue.
'We've got Peter Crouch, David Nugent (below) and I'm a big fan of Kanu. So John has got to join the queue if he wants to play up front.'
In fairness, the Nigerian has had a rotten run of injuries and has only returned to training after a two-month lay-off.
A groin problem earlier in the season and an ensuing lack of confidence can all take their toll.
But his flat-out pace is his major asset, and is also a commodity that the rest of the strikers at the club do not have in their attacking armoury.
It seems Adams is among those who have yet to be convinced about the former Rennes man. But he does believe Utaka will benefit from match sharpness.
Adams said: 'I think John needs some games.
'He has been out for the best part of five months with various injuries and that is a long time.
'He has played games and not had the best of times, but I think he needs to get match fit.
'He can do a job in the 4-3-3. I've put him on a couple of times and he hasn't really grasped the opportunity.
'But we will see what he can do when his chance comes along as I'm sure it will.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 15 C to 23 C
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