Futacs: Blues will bounce back

Marko Futacs insisted there is hope for Pompey's future after their relegation was confirmed.

Michael Appleton’s side will be playing in League One next season – provided they find a new buyer in time – after their 2-1 defeat to Derby on Saturday.

Bristol City’s victory over Barnsley at Ashton Gate condemned the Blues to that fate.

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Pompey will now be playing in the English game’s third tier for the first time since 1983 next season.

That’s a blow for supporters, but Futacs believes good can come from the current situation.

The Hungarian hitman reckons a club of Pompey’s size can bounce back and rebuild.

And he is upbeat there is cause for optimism for his side in the longer term.

Futacs said: ‘It’s disappointing and a bad day for us.

‘I thought we were going to win the game at 1-1.

‘The first-half wasn’t too good. I don’t know why.

‘I think there is hope still.

‘This is a very big club.

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‘We want to see the club move on and everything to be positive.

‘The fans are really, really important for the club.

‘I just hope that everything is sorted around the club.

‘We have to think about next year.’

Futacs assured fans he and his team-mates had given everything in their quest to keep Pompey in the Championship.

In the final reckoning, though, it is the 10 points for going into administration that has relegated Appleton’s side.

Futacs admitted it has been a testing campaign for the Blues.

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But the 22-year-old now wants to see his side sign off in style at Nottingham Forest this weekend.

He said: ‘It’s been very difficult for us this season.

‘A lot of things have happened around the club.

‘I think we all gave 100 per cent to stay in the division and win the games.

‘It’s going to be a difficult and sad week, but we have to move on. That’s why we are professional footballers.

‘We have to play and give 100 per cent for the last game now.’