Portsmouth breakout ace makes huge statement amid revealing Fratton dressing room insight
The Stockport County capture came into the Pompey dressing room this summer - and has now given his insight into what he’s seen develop since among John Mousinho’s men.
Odin Bailey believes he’s part of ‘special’ team spirit emerging at Pompey.
And the Blues’ attacking midfielder feels that tight-knit group and work ethic evident among John Mousinho’s men can carry them a long way in the Championship this term.
Pompey’s Bailey: ‘I feel like this is a special group, to be honest’
Bailey has impressed in his past two starts after waiting patiently for his opportunity this season, earning praise from John Mousinho for the way in which he’s done so along the way.
The summer capture from Stockport County has been impressed with the group he’s joined, with Bailey seeing a strong bond developing across the campaign to date.
The 26-year-old feels that connection has been evident to supporters, too, amid Pompey’s run of one loss in 10 which has powered them up the league.
Bailey said: ‘I feel like this is a special group, to be honest.
‘Everyone has really gelled together now, both on and off the pitch.
‘I feel that has been showing on the pitch.
‘We’ve got a good group and we’ve got a hard-working group. That can take us a long way.
‘Everyone is happy for each other when they have something positive happen.
‘The amount of love and support I got after my first start shows that - and that’s just one example of it.
‘Everyone is happy when someone else does well, you can see it in the goal celebrations.
‘Then you see the way we work to put our bodies on the line to keep the ball out of the net.
‘I don’t know where it can go, but hopefully we can take our opportunities - personally and as a team.’
Bailey has certainly caught the eye of late, with his impressive full debut against Swansea City followed by a man-of-the-match display against Stoke City.
The former Birmingham City quality has been apparent in that time, but has been matched by a work ethic he admitted he’s added to his game as his career’s advanced.
Bailey explained he knows the importance of putting in that graft as a Pompey player.
He added: ‘I think that’s one part of my game which has come a long way, the off-the-ball stuff.
‘Maybe as a young lad I didn’t see the value of it, but in the last few years I’ve really come to understand the value of working hard off the ball and what it means, not just the fans but the team as well.
‘Ultimately when you do those things off the ball it then sets you up in a good place to build confidence, so when you get the ball you can go and enjoy yourselves. That’s what I try to do.
‘You can see it here, every tackle here the whole stadium gets on their feet.
‘That’s unbelievable, as players on the pitch that’s what we want to see. It drive us on even more.’
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