'Guarantees goals... time to go' - Portsmouth fans react to latest development in career of former Ipswich and Bournemouth forward Brett Pitman

Pompey fans have been having their say after The News revealed Brett Pitman is not training with the Blues ahead of their League One play-off against Oxford.
Brett Pitman's last Pompey appearance came from the bench against MK Dons on December 29.  Picture: by Robin Jones/Getty ImagesBrett Pitman's last Pompey appearance came from the bench against MK Dons on December 29.  Picture: by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Brett Pitman's last Pompey appearance came from the bench against MK Dons on December 29. Picture: by Robin Jones/Getty Images

Yesterday, manager Kenny Jackett confirmed the front man was maintaining his fitness away from the club, with the double-header against the U’s just 18 days away.

It means the 32-year-old former Bournemouth and Ipswich striker, who is out of contract at the end of the month, has probably played his last game for the club.

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Although, the manager insisted the door remains open for his exiled former skipper.

It’s not the first time this season Pitman has trained away from the group and been told he is not part of Jackett’s plans.

He suffered a similar fate back in February, although returned to the bench for three games before matches were suspended in March.

But with just three Pompey games at the most remaining this term, time is clearly running out for the man with 41 goals in 99 Blues appearances.

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Here’s how fans on social media reacted to the latest development in Pitman’s own Fratton Park story...

@barnard_mr: Clearly something happened. But Pitman guarantees goals in this league, KJ needed to find a way for it to work.

@jakemeyers2015: No point to building your team around one player if its at a detriment to the rest of the team.

Jackett did that in year one, and Brett scored plenty of individual goals (with about 2 assists).

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As soon as he was taken out, the team performed better as a whole.

Paul Lambert: Disgraceful treatment of our best striker in the last 10 years

@FrattonEnder201: Great news, cheerio Brett. Thanks for one good season. All the best.

Jon Rose: So...one of our more prolific strikers is being frozen out.

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I can only assume he is happy to see out his contract and Jackett seems unable to recognise that Pitman would be just the experienced campaigner we would need if we do make it to the Championship.

@DickoPFC: Because you wouldn’t want a prolific striker, probably the best striker in the league on his day, on the bench in sudden death games.

Mind you he had the best 2 wingers in the league for the play-off game last season and gave one 25 minutes.

Michael Cox: I’m very surprised that Kenny has frozen him out in a time he would be very handy to have.

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No he may not be able to play 90 minutes but he would be very useful in the last 20 mins or so of a game and just tell him to go out a make a real nuisance of himself.

He could be the difference between promotion and staying in league 1.

Then when his contract expires he’s free to go if that’s what he wants to do.

I am very sure a league 1 or 2 club will take him on. But he will have to be sensible with his wage demands – he’s getting no younger and all clubs will be running a tight ship.

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@fm_researcher: At least his leaving will provide a massive offset in the wage bill.

@neilcooper458: Sad to see but Hawkins and Brown best be joining him.

@BlueArmyAlex: Thankful for him but it was time to go, Harrison and Marquis will only get better for us and suit our style (even if it is basic) more. His legs have gone.

@LukeEllisPUP: Not a starter but for playoffs I’d have him ready and available off the bench all day long.

Agree at the end of this season he will be off no matter what.

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