Portsmouth's Miniesta bidding to live up to big reputation - and those comparisons with ex-Barcelona and Spain star

Small on size, big on talent – and Pompey’s ‘Miniesta’ is bidding to prove a huge Fratton Park hit.
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Crewe team-mates tagged Tom Lowery with the comparison with the Barcelona and Spain legend Andres Iniesta after breaking into their first-team in October 2016.

Measuring at 5ft 6in, the diminutive midfielder went on to make 175 appearances and score 13 goals before leaving Gresty Road at the end of last season.

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It was a departure on Lowery’s own terms, having turned down the offer of a new contract to seek a fresh challenge – bringing him to Fratton Park.

And inevitably the Miniesta nickname has accompanied him to the south coast.

Lowery told The News: ‘Ever since I made my debut for Crewe, I’ve been known as “Miniesta”.

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‘I can’t remember who started it, I think it was one of the players at the time, probably Ryan Lowe, who’s now manager of Preston.

Pompey's Miniesta - Tom Lowery - made his debut at Cardiff in Tuesday night's Carabao Cup victory. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImagesPompey's Miniesta - Tom Lowery - made his debut at Cardiff in Tuesday night's Carabao Cup victory. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
Pompey's Miniesta - Tom Lowery - made his debut at Cardiff in Tuesday night's Carabao Cup victory. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages

‘Obviously I watched players like that on the TV when growing up. He’s an unbelievable player, so I’m an admirer.

‘I sort of see similarities – we are both small, which is a start! I also like to get on the ball like him.

‘I’m quite a technical player, I like to get on the ball, like to play forward, I play with a lot of energy and try to get up and down the pitch and score a few goals.

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‘I’m 5ft 6in, so Joe Morrell is a little taller than me, but my height does suit my style and I use it to my advantage with the way I play.

‘I try to not let my height affect me and, personally, I don’t think that it does.’

Coincidentally, Lowery finds himself reunited at Fratton Park with his friend Owen Dale.

The pair have known each other since the age of 10, when they climbed through the ranks at Crewe to break into first-team football.

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Dale largely operated on the right wing, with Lowery on the right of the midfield three, thereby establishing a strong on-pitch understanding to accompany an excellent off-field relationship.

Now they’ve arrived at Pompey within 48 hours of each other, with Lowery a free transfer from Crewe and loanee Dale via Blackpool.

Lowery added: ‘I know Owen really well, I played with him from the age of 10 up until he left Crewe when he was 22.

‘He was a year younger than me in the age groups. Initially we’d train together 2-3 times a week, then we were together in the under-18s – before breaking into the first-team at the same time.

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‘Owen’s a great friend of mine, it’s nice to have a friendly face here that I know already.

‘I knew he was close to coming to Pompey as well, which made me want to come here even more.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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