Mark Catlin addresses Portsmouth goal music - and if it will remain when fans return

That was the straight answer delivered by Mark Catlin in his October Q&A with the Blues' media department.

Supporters were quick to notice that Song 2 by Blur was played from the PO4 public address system after all four goals in Tuesday night's 4-0 victory over Northampton –with contingents disapproving.

Pompey fans haven’t been able to watched their side in the flesh for the best part of eight months amid the Covid-19 crisis.

With England to enter a second national lockdown from Thursday, it could be March when the Fratton faithful are back attending games.

Catlin explained the reason why goal music is being played is to try to generate some atmosphere while matches are played behind closed doors.

But it will be scrapped when a sufficient number of the supporters are again back in the stands.

Catlin said: ‘The simple answer is no (goal music won't be played when fans are back).

‘I'll give a bit of background why we did it for this particular game.

‘It's pretty basic, really. During the games behind closed doors, the atmosphere is dead without any supporters so we thought we'd trial the goal music to see if it'd spice it up aligned with little video shots of the players celebrating scoring a goal.

‘That seemed to go down well. I was sat next to Ellis Harrison, Michael Jacobs and the rest of the players and they thought it was hysterical.

‘The actual celebration of the player on the big screen, just a funny little clip, is something that we might keep.

‘Unlike other clubs, with the greatest respect to some of them, they need the goal music to generate atmosphere after a goal. We don't.

‘So when fans are allowed back in sufficient numbers and we feel the time is right to pull it, we will pull it.’

The EFL have confirmed that League One will continue as scheduled during the national lockdown.