How Andy Cannon is living up to his Portsmouth promise - and proving the tonic for missing out on Millwall man

Clearly, it was something that he'd been pondering during the three-month lockdown period that truncated the 2019-20 season.

He might well have mulled over it even more after Pompey's League One play-off semi-final defeat to Oxford, having been dropped for the second leg.

What was abundantly evident was Cannon had, quite frankly, had enough of how he felt after harshly losing his starting spot at times.

'I was an easy option to drop – that's what I think anyway,' he said.

‘This season, I don't want to be an easy option to drop. I'm ready for it, I'm 24 now and I've got a lot to give this season.

‘Hopefully, I'm not an easy option to drop because I want to play football and give my all for the club.'

Before the 2019-20 season was curtailed, Cannon had established himself as a Blues regular.

Having gone three months without a league start, an inspiring comeback appearance against Ipswich before Christmas firmly thrust him back into Kenny Jackett's plans.

Even still, Cannon thought he was hard done by on occasions, wrongly losing his spot when it wasn't justified.

It was something that was peeving him off and he was determined for that to change.

And judging by his current run in Pompey’s starting XI, he’s keeping to his word. Now he's a key player in the latest promotion push.

How much of an important cog he is to this Blues team – especially since the switch to a 4-4-2 formation – was underlined at Plymouth on Monday.

Cannon surprisingly started in a left-wing role, with Ronan Curtis away on international duty and Michael Jacobs injured.

But as Kenny Jackett's side struggled to gain a foothold in the game in the first half, the clamouring for the ex-Rochdale man to be moved into the engine room was rife on social media.

Pompey missed his energy and ability to drive out of midfield with the ball at his feet.

Changes were needed at half-time as the visitors went into the interval a goal behind.

Last season, Cannon could well have thought walking in at the break he’d be told he was being sacrificed.

However, at Home Park, that was highly unlikely to happen. Instead, he was shifted into his favoured central position.

It was Ben Close who was withdrawn for Ellis Harrison as Jackett plotted to turn the game on its head.

And it was no coincidence that Pompey improved markedly in the second period. Cannon’s added fizz was crucial as the away side fought their way back into the fixture.

It was the 24-year-old’s cross that led to Tom Naylor’s goal as the Blues picked up a decent 2-2 draw against an Argyle side who sit top of the home form table.

That was Cannon’s third assist of the season and second in the league.

Upping his threat in the final third was with another facet of his game he knew he needed to improve – and another promise he’s keeping true to.

When the summer transfer window slammed shut and Pompey had missed out on Ben Thompson, there were fears from some that Jackett’s engine room wasn’t dynamic nor strong enough.

But Cannon’s performances have been proving the much-need the tonic for missing out on the Millwall midfielder.