Numbers add up for in-form Pompey youngster

The advent calendar is counting down '“ three remaining fixtures before Ben Tollitt is driving home for Christmas.
Pompey winger Ben Tollitt has impressed on loan at Tranmere  	                 Picture: Joe PeplerPompey winger Ben Tollitt has impressed on loan at Tranmere  	                 Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey winger Ben Tollitt has impressed on loan at Tranmere Picture: Joe Pepler

The numbers have so far been encouraging for the young winger.

A return of nine games, four man-of-the-match accolades, three goals and two assists have rendered his Tranmere stay a success.

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Such has been the impact of new boss Micky Mellon at Prenton Park, they currently occupy third spot in the National League.

Featuring strongly has been Tollitt, revelling in a 93-day sabbatical from Fratton Park.

Regular first-team football has benefited the former Everton apprentice, who has made two Pompey appearances this season.

His return date is December 24 – but there remains plenty more to do at Rovers in the meantime.

He said: ‘I am as confident as I have ever been, genuinely.

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‘I am not going to big anything up, but I feel I’m playing really well at the minute and will take it game-by-game. Regular football definitely helps.

‘I wanted to play regularly at Portsmouth, but that wasn’t happening, so when the loan move to Tranmere came up I was happy to go.

‘Since then I have not looked back. I’m loving it and that is showing in the footy.

‘The Tranmere fans are class, I seem to have a good rapport with them, maybe they have taken to my style of play, I am not quite sure what it is.

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‘However, I have scored a few goals, maybe put in some important performances, and hopefully they have appreciated the 100 per cent I have put into every game.

‘I had never before played in the National League, I didn’t know what to expect, but feel I have shown I am good at that level at least.

People from the club (Pompey) have messaged me saying I am doing well and that I’ve had good reports, which is nice to hear.

‘Nothing has been thought about whether I am to stay at Tranmere, I have not spoken about it.

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‘During my loan period, all I’ve done is take it game-by-game and won’t think about it until after the Lincoln match, which is my final one.

‘So I’ve got three games left and hopefully three more good performances like the rest of them.’

Tollitt netted the only goal of the game at Gateshead on Tuesday night, marking his third goal in five matches.

And he insists he is presently revelling in a new role at the top of Tranmere’s diamond formation.

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He added: ‘I’ve played in a few different roles such as a 4-4-2 and a 4-3-3, but also at the tip of the diamond behind the two strikers.

‘I’m really enjoying that role at the minute, when I receive the ball I can get it on the half-turn and drive at players, which is my game. I can run through the middle of the pitch to hurt teams.

‘Playing in a few different formations benefits my game in the long run, so it has really helped my game by going out on loan.

‘I’ll just have to wait and see what happens next.’