Longest-serving player admits uncertainty over Portsmouth future - but won't give up Fratton Park battle

Alex Bass admits he is unsure over his Pompey future.
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Nonetheless, the 24-year-old has pledged business as usual in his bid to establish himself as the Blues’ number one.

Danny Cowley remains in the market for a new first-team keeper to replace Gavin Bazunu, with West Brom’s Josh Griffiths high on his wanted list.

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In the meantime, Bass and Toby Steward shared duties in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Qatar SC in Murcia, Spain.

Bass has been here before, of course, having been around the first-team since introduced to pre-season fixtures as a 16-year-old in 2014.

And, entering the final year of his Pompey deal, he’s unsure what this season holds.

Bass told The News: ‘Me and the gaffer haven't spoken too much about the situation, it’s one of those.

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‘We’re quite a small squad at the moment and he's trying to find the players he’s got to find. If he brings in a keeper he brings in a keeper – and we’ll see where it goes from there.

Alex Bass has featured three times for Pompey this pre-season. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImagesAlex Bass has featured three times for Pompey this pre-season. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
Alex Bass has featured three times for Pompey this pre-season. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages

‘At the moment, he hasn’t said anything.

‘All he’s said is I will be the first person that finds out when or if whatever happens. If he signs a keeper, I will be the first person to know.

‘I've had four managers now and it’s always that feeling where you have to prove yourself each time because a new manager obviously has different opinions.

‘With Kenny it was a bit of a slow burner. He came in when I was quite young, then I got my chance and unfortunately the season was cut short by Covid, but that was a good year for me.

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‘Then the new gaffer (Cowley) came in and I was injured, so it takes a bit of time to show what you've got.

‘As a young lad coming through the Academy, maybe that’s one reason why you always have to prove yourself.

‘I always think every season I’ll come back in, work as hard as I can, and wherever that will take me, takes me.

‘You don’t have to prove to other people, it’s mainly about proving to yourself. I know I am good enough to play and hopefully I will get a chance to play.

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‘At the moment it’s me and Toby, so we’ll keep working hard as a group and see where it goes from there.’

Bass has made 41 appearances since emerging through Pompey’s Academy.

While last season he announced his return from a double leg break with seven Blues outings, plus 21 games on loan at Bradford during the second half of the campaign.

He added: ‘Being a number two again would be tough..

‘Obviously I don’t know what’s going to happen, so I’m hoping not to think about things like that.

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‘I don’t think there are many who are going to be as good as Gav coming down to Pompey again.

‘So if I am, unfortunately, in that position, I will work hard and see where it takes me. Hopefully I’ll prove that I’m better than who we bring in - and see where we go from there.

‘But, at the moment, I don’t know exactly what’s going on with the Gaffer, I come in pre-season, work hard and see where it takes me.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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