Portsmouth goalscoring legend Guy Whittingham offers words of advice for striker John Marquis

That’s the verdict of Blues goalscoring legend Guy Whittingham, who believes the striker has to focus on his finishing and threat inside the box if he’s to repeat his excellent Doncaster Rovers form at Fratton Park.

Marquis plundered 67 goals in 162 appearances for Donny, before sealing a big-money move to Pompey in the summer of 2019.

He finished last season as the Blues’ joint-top scorer (14), alongside Ronan Curtis – and is already off the mark this term following his strike against Stevenage.

The 28-year-old could not steer the Blues to victory on Saturday, though, as they opened their new League One campaign with a disappointing goalless draw against Shrewsbury.

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That reignited a debate among sections of supporters who blame manager Kenny Jackett for not getting the most out of the front man.

However, offering a different opinion, Whittingham believes Marquis spends too much time getting involved in play outside the box.

The former Blues manager, who is now a pundit on BBC Radio Solent, said the forward needs to be more ‘selfish’ and concentrate on being in the key areas at the right time if he is to improve his numbers.

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Speaking on Solent on Saturday, Whittingham said: 'He (Marquis) shouldn't run around (as much) - he should stay in and around the 18-yard box area and get ready for the ball to come into the box.

'That's what I want to see him do. I think he gets involved too much outside the area.

'It's difficult as a one man up front. You know, if he's going to get involved in the ball outside the area, get involved early, in the early build-up.

'Once it starts entering that final third, he needs to be in and around the area.

'I'm not convinced he's one of those who scores a goal from every good chance he gets.

'He's one that will score goals throughout the season from different areas.

‘But I just think he needs to concentrate on his craft more – about scoring goals, how to play against defenders who are marking him tightly, how to lose defenders, what runs to make, when to make them.

'He should know Curtis and (Marcus) Harness well enough now, he's played with them all season.

'He needs to know when they are going to cross the ball, when they’re going to look to slide into the near post, when they're looking to cut back on their right foot, when they're going to cross it first time.

'All those little things you work out in training and playing with them.

'You should know that by now and I would just like to see him be a bit more selfish in his play and just concentrate on being in that area to finish crosses and chances he gets.'

Whittingham, who scored 115 goals in Pompey 226 appearances, praised Marquis for the shift he puts in each game.

Be he reiterated his opinion that the front man needed to look at his overall game if he wanted to progress further at Fratton Park.

'One thing I don't think you can ever say is John Marquis doesn't put in a good shift,’ added Whittingham.

'He always does that.

'For me, though, as a striker, if you are not getting chances during a game, decent chances, at least one, then you've got to look at your game.

'I think he spends too much time trying to get involved in play outside the box rather than concentrate on his craft, which is finishing.

'He's a good finisher, he can finish, we know he's scored goals at this level.

‘By that I mean, when crosses are coming in, if your a lone striker, you've got to sacrifice sometimes and make that run to the near post - and he might have had a chance to day at the near post.

'I think he just needs to concentrate on that a bit more as a striker.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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