Portsmouth midfielder Andy Cannon makes frank goal admission heading into new League One season

The former Rochdale man has scored just once in 32 outings since arriving at Fratton Park in January 2019.

That's despite the majority of his appearances coming just behind the striker in the number-10 role.

Cannon's started on the bench for the Blues' opening two games of the new season, with Gareth Evans likely be preferred for tomorrow's League One curtain-raiser against Shrewsbury.

Pompey are also in the market for a new attacking midfielder, having lost out to Peterborough for Sammie Szmodics earlier in the week.

Cannon's wary he needs to start hitting the back of the net more when he's given opportunities.

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But he knows he’s more than capable of doing so.

Cannon told The News: ‘The main thing for me, as an attacking midfielder, is that you need to be getting goals and assists.

‘I know in myself I need to score more goals if I am selected to play there.

‘I only got four assists last season but I've looked back at a lot of clips. A lot of balls I put in the box were on a plate for some players and the chances didn't get punished.

‘That just leaves me with my stats not looking as good as they should have been, if I'm being honest.

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‘I had a look back at the season during lockdown and I thought I put some good balls into people and they should have been a goal, so my stats should be better than they are.

‘But I do realise the goal situation and that I need to score more. I know I can, it's just about getting the confidence in front of the net. Once I get one, I don't see why I can't go on a run and get a few.

‘The main thing for me is that if I do well and we win then I'm happy. When we went on a good run and I was in the team, I wasn't always thinking I need to score or get an assist.

‘If I played my part in a win then that was the main thing.’

Cannon revealed he scores regularly in training and team-mates have encouraged him to get more shots off in games.

He added: ‘I suppose you've got to shoot sometimes because the ball can take a deflection and go in.

‘Maybe I should shoot a little bit more and team-mates have said they want me to because they see me scoring in training and aren't going to be bothered.

‘I know I've got to score more goals but I'm just as happy getting assists as well. I'm not a prolific goalscorer but I do know I can add them to my game.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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