Linganzi not feeling the Pompey pressure

The Congo international, who earned debut man-of-the-match honours in Tuesday night’s 3-2 Coventry defeat, signed a one-month deal with the Fratton Park club at the start of the week.

And while he is aware his window to impress is shorter than most, the 26-year-old has only one thing on his mind – to enjoy his football.

Linganzi said: ‘I am just enjoying myself here.

‘Okay I signed for a month but I don’t feel the pressure (to win a new deal).

‘I just need to work hard on the training ground and on the pitch and enjoy my life.

‘That’s it – I don’t think about anything else.

‘Football is my only focus.’

Linganzi’s presence at the Ricoh Arena helped to bolster Pompey’s midfield as they were narrowly edged out by their League One opponents in extra-time of their EFL Cup first-round tie.

And having impressed on his competitive Blues bow, the rangy talent has now set his sights on a bigger prize altogether – the League Two title.

He said: ‘This year we have a really good group.

‘To be honest with you I know the ambition of the club.

‘We want to win every game and we want to win the title.

‘That is what I like and that is why I am here.

‘I need to win the title and feel that emotion.’

Despite playing the majority of his football in the English game as a box-to-box midfielder, Linganzi is ready to reinvent himself to find success at Fratton Park.

But having spoken in The News yesterday of his desire to give his new side a physical edge in a holding-midfield role, the former Accrington man insists he can also fit with Pompey’s passing philosophy.

And Linganzi is now ‘hungry’ to earn a regular run of games to prove his worth to the Blues cause.

He said: ‘I can be physical but I like the philosophy of the gaffer to just keep on passing.

‘You have to detect when to play short or long and that is okay with me.

‘I am hungry for football.

‘And I just hope I am going to play regular games and be better and better.’

Linganzi’s arrival on the south coast looks to have ended any realistic hopes Danny Hollands may have had of returning to Fratton Park.

But while both players have had their share of injury concerns in recent times, it is the former who is now keen to seize the opportunity given to him – starting with Saturday’s trip to Crewe (3pm).

Linganzi added: ‘I want to play but if it is real that I feel bad I will say to the gaffer that I need time to recover.

‘But I only signed for a few weeks so I want to play.

‘I just need to work hard to be fit and grab the opportunity when he calls upon me.

‘I am ready (for Crewe).’