Former Shrewsbury and Wycombe midfielder Bryn Morris 'needs fresh start away from Portsmouth'

Bryn Morris ‘needs a fresh start elsewhere’ as his Pompey career stalls.
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That’s the verdict of News sports writer Will Rooney, who believes the midfielder is showing evidence that he is writing off ever making it at Fratton Park.

The 24-year-old was handed his first outing in more than a month in the Blues’ Papa John’s Trophy defeat at Peterborough on Tuesday night.

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And although few in the reserve team manager Kenny Jackett put out at London Road took the opportunity to stake a claim for a regular starting place, Morris’ inability to impose himself on the game stood out.

It’s something that’s always been levelled at the former Shrewsbury and Wycombe man following his PO4 arrival in January 2019.

Injury has, of course, hindered his progress, with a hip complaint limiting him to just 10 appearances in his first 18 months at the club.

But with Jackett showing faith in his capabilities in last season’s failed play-off double-header against Oxford – at the expense of Tom Naylor, and picking him for the Blues’ opening five league games this season, Morris has been unable to take his opportunity.

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His last league start now dates back to MK Dons’ visit to the south coast on October 23.

Bryn Morris warns up for Tuesday night's game against PeterboroughBryn Morris warns up for Tuesday night's game against Peterborough
Bryn Morris warns up for Tuesday night's game against Peterborough

He’s played just 29 minutes of third-tier football since.

Meanwhile, the former England youth international was left out of three match-days squad in the month of December.

But speaking in the latest edition of Pompey Talk: The Podcast, Rooney said pastures new might be the best thing for a player who is out of contract at the end of the season.

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He said: ‘I might be wrong, and if I am, by all means Bryn get in touch with me, but it looks like he has written his career off at Pompey.

‘He's had his chance at the start of the season, played the first six games (including Stevenage in the League Cup on the opening day), but didn't do much.

‘(Andy) Cannon has since then come in and taken his chance, and Ben Close – okay, it was tough for Close (on Tuesday night) but he showed a little bit of fight about him, a little bit of grit.

‘There was one sliding challenge which you don't associate with Ben Close, a robust sliding challenge.

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‘But he put one in in the first half and he made you think, "yeah, you've shown you've got a little bit about you - you're willing to do that” and I like seeing that.

‘But, Morris, for me, it just looks like he needs pastures new now and he needs a fresh start elsewhere.

‘He's clearly got something about him – he was highly rated as a youngster, England youth skipper, did well at Wycombe and then Pompey and Luton both wanted him when he came to Pompey. He could have went to Luton if it weren't for Nathan Jones leaving.

‘So, there must be something about him and Jackett likes him, and there's not been too many times when Jackett gets players wrong really, but Morris, for me, it just hasn't worked out.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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