Plymouth boss controversy, Jordy Hiwula SOS and new Ronan Curtis role - your Portsmouth questions answered

John Marquis is probably having his best season for Pompey, but I'm still pulling my hair out watching him hoping for more, which is exhausting. He's the only striker I know of who is first on the team sheet despite a lack of goals. Does it mean the likes of Harrison and Hiwula, who doesn't even get a look in, aren't trusted enough by Jackett?

Henry Davies via email

The issue of John Marquis and Ellis Harrison has sparked much debate on social media at the weekend and I’ve seen a wide range of reasoned arguments.

Although, I have to strongly disagree with anyone who claims they are too similar to play alongside each other. I don’t get that at all.

Marquis’ strengths are definitely not Harrison’s strengths – and likewise. Put them together, though, and you’d have a hell of a Championship player!

The facts are, Marquis has scored twice in 14 appearances, while Harrison hasn’t netted in League One for four months.

If they aren’t performing then surely you have to look at alternatives. That’s what squad competition is all about, isn’t it?

Otherwise, what is the point of Jordy Hiwula being around?

In addition, Marquis and Harrison shouldn’t be judged solely on goals, their current all-round contribution and performances also need to be scrutinised.

Personally, I feel it’s time for a change up front. Whether it’s Hiwula, Ronan Curtis centrally or Ryan Williams operating just off the main striker, it needs something different.

Is there a way to fit both Ronan Curtis and Michael Jacobs into the team? Although both left-wingers, they're not the same type of player. Pompey need to utilise them both rather than one over the other. Would you agree?

Liam Mason via email

Ronan Curtis changed the game for Pompey against Plymouth. Without him, they would have lost.

James Bolton was my man of the match, yet the Irishman ran him close. What an inspirational entrance from the bench.

He had no right to get that ball as Kell Watts attempted to let it run out for a goal kick, but persistence, determination and desire earned him that first goal.

Curtis needed a break, it was time to come out of the starting XI, and what a player Jacobs has been looking as his replacement on the left flank.

Now Jacobs is out with a hamstring problem so Curtis is expected to return on the left against Swindon tomorrow night.

So, as it stands, it will be a little while before both can be considered to play alongside each other in Pompey’s starting XI.

However, as previously mentioned, would it be worth considering putting Curtis centrally as a striker? Even when Jacobs is available.

Curtis has played there before for Derry, he made his Pompey debut in the role in August 2018, and we know his finishing is excellent and work-rate and closing down of defenders is superb.

With concerns over the Blues’ front two at present, Curtis could well be the solution.

Does Harvey White have a clause in his loan move that he has to play? I only ask as he's making regular appearances as a sub but Pompey do seem a lot weaker with him in the side. Am I being harsh? He needs time to bed in, but Pompey don't have that luxury with promotion at stake.

Roger Holdsworth via email

As I always say, let’s judge a player on how he performs for Pompey – not on his background.

White arrived at Fratton Park from Spurs as a 19-year-old with two first-team appearances. He needs time and patience to make an impact, it’s ridiculous to write him off just yet.

The midfielder’s only featured three times from the bench so far, give the lad a break.

Let’s reserve judgment until he has been given a proper opportunity.

Does Pompey's budget really 'blow everyone out of the water' like Ryan Lowe says? What about the wage cap?

Peter McFarlane via email

That has been a puzzling one. The ghost of Derek Adams refuses to leave Home Park, it seems.

Since July 2019, when John Marquis was recruited for around £1m from Doncaster, Pompey have spent money on two players.

So that’s Reeco Hackett-Fairchild and Callum Johnson in the last 18 months. Hardly ‘big spending’ as Lowe claimed before Saturday’s game.

As for the Blues’ budget, the salary cap has brought uniformity across League One and League Two. Potentially, nobody can spend more than anyone else.

As a consequence of this measure, the Blues have missed out on signing players, reduced their squad size, and are unable to negotiate new contracts with Jack Whatmough, Andy Cannon, Tom Naylor, Craig MacGillivray and Ryan Williams.

Hardly the actions of a club ‘blowing everyone out of the water’.

Anyhow, why shouldn’t Pompey pay more than others in League One? Their last set of accounts showed a £2.1m profit, so they were living within their means.

But, of course, the salary cap has now intervened to fix a ceiling of £2.5m for everyone in this division. Including Plymouth and Pompey.

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