Ashdown backs Appy to turn around Pompey fortunes

Jamie Ashdown has spoken of his respect for Michael Appleton and insisted: He'll get it right '“ if he's given the chance.

The Pompey keeper believes Appleton is the right man to turn around the club’s fortunes in League One next season.

That’s despite the 36-year-old telling Ashdown he has no future at Fratton Park last month.

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The club’s longest serving player was told he would not be offered a new deal along with Ricardo Rocha.

He still thinks Appleton is the best man to rebuild the club where he has played since 2004, though.

Ashdown made no bones about the size of the task the former West Brom man faces moving forward.

Appleton was a frustrated figure for much of last season, following the demise of Convers Sports Initiatives shortly after he stepped into the Blues hotseat.

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Ashdown feels that has proved an education for the Pompey boss.

He also believes he deserves credit for his conduct since arriving last November.

Now Appleton is determined to make his imprint on the club.

And Ashdown reckons he is more than capable of doing that successfully.

He said: ‘Michael Appleton is taking the club on now.

‘You can only praise him.

‘It’s going to be one heck of a job. Hopefully he can enjoy it now.

‘I know he hasn’t enjoyed a lot of the last season.

‘If he’s given the chance he will be successful.

‘It’s been a tough learning curve.

‘To get that as your first job is a tough experience.

‘But the way he’s conducted himself has been different class really.

‘There is good things to come from him for the club.’