Orient trio set for Pompey reunions

Pompey could potentially face three former players when they travel to Brisbane Road to take on Leyton Orient tomorrow.
Nigel AtanganaNigel Atangana
Nigel Atangana

Nigel Atangana, Paul McCallum and Alex Cisak have all lind up for the Blues at some point in their careers, with varying degrees of success.

Here, we look back on their Fratton Park days, and what they’ve done since departing Pompey for pastures new.

Nigel Atangana

Paul McCallumPaul McCallum
Paul McCallum
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The Frenchman’s Pompey career was a largely frustrating one as he struggled to nail down a regular starting position for Pompey.

After signing from Havant & Waterlooville in 2014, the midfielder impressed with his range of passing and comfort on the ball.

But there was always a question mark over his ability to handle the physical aspect of League Two and dominate the midfield battleground.

After falling down the pecking order last season, he departed for Orient in the January transfer window.

Alex CisakAlex Cisak
Alex Cisak
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In total he played 48 games for Pompey, the highlight being a stunning equaliser against Cheltenham in December 2014 – his only goal for the Blues.

Since heading to the capital, Atangana has found regular starting opportunities easier to come by and has impressed for Orient, making 25 appearances to date.

A groin problem could deny him a Pompey reunion.

But if passed fit, this will be the first time he has faced his former employers, after a gentleman’s agreement prevented him from playing in his side’s 1-0 win at Fratton Park in February.

Paul McCallumPaul McCallum
Paul McCallum

Paul McCallum

McCallum was signed on-loan from West Ham in January 2015, as Andy Awford attempted to add some much-needed fire-power to his struggling Blues squad.

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The move didn’t work out, however, after the striker was handed a seven-match ban for making contact with a referee in just his second match for Pompey.

Unable to send him back to West Ham, the club stuck with McCallum, who he went on to make a further five appearances from the bench, failing to make any lasting impression.

Alex CisakAlex Cisak
Alex Cisak

Following his brief spell on the south coast, the forward was released by the Hammers and signed for Orient in June 2015, where he has scored nine goals in 20 appearances.

His time in east London, though, has been plagued by a knee injury which kept him out for seven months last season.

Alex Cisak

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Even when you factor in the fact he played during a period of constant comings and goings at Fratton Park, Cisak’s Pompey career was brief to say the least!

In November 2012, following Mikkel Andersen’s return to Reading, the Polish-born shotstopper was brought in on-loan from Oldham.

He impressed on his debut, making some key saves in a 1-1 draw with Coventry, however, was recalled by his parent club just days later after regular goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis was sent off for violent conduct in a 1–0 loss against Doncaster.

After his solitary game for Pompey, Cisak had spells at Burnley and York before finally settling at Brisbane Road in 2015.

He has gone on to play in 57 games for the London outfit and is expected to be between the sticks for the visit of Paul Cook’s men this weekend.