Paul Cook: No hard feelings as Tubbs departs

Tubbs yesterday completed his move to Forest Green Rovers – bringing to a close his 18-month stay at Fratton Park.

The 31-year-old joins the National League outfit on a one-year deal after leaving the Blues by mutual consent.

Tubbs scored 14 goals in 39 appearances after arriving from Bournemouth.

But he fell out of favour under Cook and was sent out on loan to Eastleigh last term.

Chairman Iain McInnes indicated this week the club’s budget was nearing its limit.

But the removal of one of the top earners does free up money for Cook to continue his recruitment.

Cook reserved praise for Tubbs’ conduct as he found himself on the fringes at Pompey.

He explained there were no personal problems with the striker and he would always be welcome at the club.

Cook said: ‘We just wish Matt well.

‘It’s the same for Matt as the Paul Robinsons and James Dunnes. It’s the same for all those lads who go. You only get one career.

‘Matt Tubbs has played for us but now moves on.

‘We certainly wish him well. One thing’s for sure, he’ll always be welcome back at Fratton Park and that’s the way it should be.

‘I can’t pick everyone. I can’t keep everyone happy here. I’m sure there will be fallouts and disagreements along the way.

‘That’s part of football but we certainly wish Matty well.’

Cook was content with his team’s work as they cruised to a comfortable win over Hawks last night.

The goals flowed at Westleigh Park – coming from Carl Baker (two), Gary Roberts, Noel Hunt and Curtis Main.

With it being an early stage of pre-season, Cook explained there has not yet been a great focus on how he wants his side to play next term.

But he was happy to see natural signs of potential – along with runouts for the likes of youngsters Harvey Bradbury, Theo Widdrington, Jez Bedford and young pro Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Cook said: ‘The introduction of the young lads was great.

‘When you are at a pressurised club like ours you have to be careful.

‘Nights like this are perfect to do that for them.

‘We’re just training and playing. We won’t get into the nuts and bolts of it yet.

‘We’ll get past the next two games and then start working more on what we’re doing.’