Midfielder determined to no longer be 'easy option' to drop once he gets his Portsmouth chance

Andy Cannon insists he no longer wants to be an 'easy option' to drop if he regains a Pompey starting spot.
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The former Rochdale man has been on the bench for opening four games of the season.

He's come on as a substitute in each of them, but the versatile midfielder has been behind the likes of Gareth Evans, Tom Naylor, Marcus Harness and Bryn Morris in the pecking order.

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The 24-year-old then played a much more prominent role for the remainder of the campaign, which culminated in Pompey suffering play-off semi-final defeat to Oxford.

But during that period, he felt there were times when he was unfairly omitted from Jackett's line-up.

Now he's determined to become a Blues regular and grasp his chance when it next arrives.

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Cannon said: ‘I played a few games at the start of last season and I thought I did well. We beat Birmingham and Tranmere then I got dropped after we lost at Sunderland for a few weeks, although I didn't think I played that bad.

Andy Cannon in action against Brighton. Picture: Joe PeplerAndy Cannon in action against Brighton. Picture: Joe Pepler
Andy Cannon in action against Brighton. Picture: Joe Pepler

‘I was an easy option to drop – that's what I think anyway.

‘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.

‘If I can get a run of games then I can show what I can do. That's what happened when we went on a good run when I came back into the team just before Christmas.

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‘It was frustrating being out of the team last season, especially as I didn't feel I deserved to be dropped.

‘It's not up to me to make those decisions but we beat Ipswich and Wycombe – who were first and second at the time - when I came back in.

‘There was relief after months of frustrations and then we started playing some good football at that time.'

Cannon moved to Pompey from Rochdale for a fee of £150,000 in January 2019.

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He's scored one goal in 34 appearances to date, with a thigh injury keeping him out for several months shortly after joining the Blues.

Cannon’s been utilised mainly in the number-10 role by Jackett, but is also capable of operating as a holding midfielder.

Now at the age of 24, he feels he's ready to stamp his authority at PO4.

‘It's good to be able to play different positions but I'm at the age where it could be a big step to show everything I can do this season,’ added Cannon.

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‘I feel good in training and have that little bit extra to give.

‘Adding goals will help but I want to secure my position and let other people have to try to fight their way in front of me.’

‘I don't want to be that easy option anymore. I want to be one of the first names on the team sheet and play 40-plus games.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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