Paul Downing's end-of-season message after 'frustrating' first Portsmouth season
Paul Downing has outlined his determination to come back stronger next season at Pompey.
The centre-back endured a difficult maiden campaign at Fratton Park.
Despite signing a three-year deal following his arrival from Blackburn on a free transfer last summer, Downing spent most of the year down the pecking order.
He started the season as first-choice centre-back but didn’t make a single League One appearance after the 2-2 draw with Burton on September 17.
In fact, he was handed just five more outings for Kenny Jackett's side as they suffered play-off semi-final defeat to Oxford United earlier this month.
Downing was an unused substitute in both games against the U’s, with Christian Burgess and Sean Raggett making up Pompey’s central-defence pairing – as they did for the majority of the season.
However, both have now departed the south coast. Burgess has joined Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, while Raggett has returned to Norwich following his season-long loan.
Posting on Instagram, Downing admitted it was a frustrating campaign for him.
But he’s intent on showing fans what he's capable of next term.
The ex-Doncaster man wrote: ‘Disappointing result for us all on Monday...it’s been a frustrating year on a personal note but determined more than ever to come back stronger next season!’
In total, Downing has featured 14 times for Pompey.