'Damn shame... we're a better team without him... something's gone on behind the scenes - Portsmouth fans react as Brett Pitman trains with Bournemouth under-23s

It was revealed on Thursday that the 32-year-old had returned to his former club after being told he is no longer part of manager Kenny Jackett’s plans.

He'll remain there until further notice.

However, Jackett told The News that the striker had not necessarily played his last match for the Blues.

It remains to be seen if his appearance as a 72nd-minute substitute in the 3-1 defeat at MK Dons on December 29 will be his last for the club.

That took his Blues tally to 99 outings since his arrival in the summer of 2017 – a total that also produced 42 goals for a striker whose contract expires at the end of the season.

And as fans wait to see how things will pan out between now and the end of the season, many have been getting in contract with The News to give their verdicts.

Here’s a selection of the views share on our Facebook page Portsmouth FC – The News, plus a few thoughts shared by Cherries fans on Twitter...

Michael Cox: That’s a damn shame, but clearly there has been goings on that we the fans are not told.

Brett gets on with Eddie Connell, coops and the rest of the guys at AFC B. I certainly wish him well, and come the end of the season I’m very sure at least a league 2 club will take him.

We must thank him for his services to Portsmouth Football Club, he deserved better.

Richard Price: I get that managers don’t rate players and it’s opinions but I feel that Pitman has been treated very badly. He deserves respect.

The man almost got us in the play offs in Jacket’s first season, scored 25 goals and was injured for 10 games.

Last year he was brought back and was a big part in the last few games where we just missed out on promotion.

David Foster: What exactly does ‘deserves respect’ mean?

He may have been given it, but if he’s ain’t first choice he ain’t first choice.

Why assume this outcome is down to the club/KJ doing something wrong?

Aaron Shann: Clearly something has gone on behind the scenes that we don’t see and stays inside which it should do.

Phil Hopes: I get that everyone has an opinion, and that most people speculate about what might be factual/accurate/true.

What I don't get is that some can't/won't accept we're a better team without him.

Connor Gilchrist: It's so sad, I still think he has it. I'm disappointed and really sad.

Lorraine Wells: Don’t agree with how Brett has been treated! Some short memories!

Andrew Prentice: Does anyone commenting know the real facts?

Truth is, none of us know what’s going on behind the scenes.

Shame it had to end like this but there could be many factors behind the clubs (and Brett’s) decision.

Matt Moyle: Shocking way to treat Pompey’s top scorer of the last decade.. if he wasn’t part of Kenny’s plans why wasn’t he sold last month?

Why are we paying one of our highest earners to train with Bournemouth U 23’s?

Andy Emberson: Because nobody wanted him, you can’t play someone because they WERE the top goalscorer you need to move on.

Carl White: Should have let him go in January!!

Richie Barnes: What a waste of an asset...the club are obviously happy paying out money every month for something they refuse to use!

John Osborne: We can keep him as a spare just in case of injuries because we got Oli Hawkins with an Injury and we have no quality youth strikers on standby.

Paul Street: He deserves to play his 100th game for Pompey, for the commitment he has given to the club and fans.

@LaurenceBBattle: Brett Pitman training with Cherries under-21s after being frozen out by Portsmouth will be a great addition for the s AAAAAHHHHHHH.

@LeesPhil: Quite happy to see Pitman back as an emergency striker for can still do a job knows where the onion bag is same happened when fowler went back to lpool for a short period #onceagoalscoreralwaysagoalscorer