Sean Raggett: Thank you Portsmouth - but there was still more to come from me

The central defender experienced something of a Fratton Park journey, overcoming a difficult start to emphatically prove his worth.

Arriving on a season-long loan from Norwich following an injury-ravaged 2018-19 campaign, he steadily grew into his Pompey role.

Striking up a strong central-defensive partnership with Christian Burgess, Raggett went on to make 38 appearances and score twice.

The 26-year-old felt he demonstrated he was over his ankle problems – and could have performed even better for the Blues had lockdown not occurred.

Raggett told The News: ‘I played a lot of games in the end, which is pleasing, especially after the previous season when I didn’t play too much because of injury.

‘It wasn’t the best start for me at the club, but I always believed in myself. I have the character to come back from that – and I think I did.

‘And I feel like I won the fans over a bit towards the end.

‘Had the full season continued, my appearances would have gone into the 40s.

‘I am definitely over the injury now. I don’t really think about it anymore. Whereas at the start of the season I was concerned, now it is out of my mind completely.

‘I still think there’s more improvements to come from me. I haven't yet reached my peak and was improving every game before the season was cut off.

‘That was frustrating for me personally, otherwise I could have got a bit more out of me.’

Raggett is now a free agent after Norwich yesterday announced his departure.

The Canaries had a 12-month option which was not activated, leaving the former Lincoln man to find a new club.

And he has already indicated he would consider a Pompey return.

He added: ‘Looking back, Tranmere away was one of my favourite games – and a good one personally.

‘I’ve always scored a few goals in my career, but it just wasn’t going for me here. Then I scored there.

‘There was also that spell over Christmas when we played Ipswich and Wycombe, who were in the top two at the time. We beat them both, keeping a clean sheet.

‘That was a good period of big games. It enabled us to keep them within reach if we were going to go up automatically.

‘I enjoyed those matches a lot.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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