Verdict: Portsmouth are finally getting the best out of former Doncaster Rovers striker John Marquis

Pompey are finally getting the best out of John Marquis.
John Marquis has scored seven goals in five games for Pompey.  Picture: Pete Norton/Getty ImagesJohn Marquis has scored seven goals in five games for Pompey.  Picture: Pete Norton/Getty Images
John Marquis has scored seven goals in five games for Pompey. Picture: Pete Norton/Getty Images

And if the front man continues his rich vein of form in front of goal, then Blues reporter Will Rooney believes Kenny Jackett’s side will be right up there at the end of the season when the promotion places are being decided.

Marquis’ double at Lincoln in midweek took his goal tally for the season to nine.

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Seven of those have come in League One, making him the division’s top scorer.

And with only eight goals recorded in the third tier last term, it’s a marked improvement for a striker who notched 21 in the regular season for Doncaster the previous year.

Speaking in the latest edition of Pompey Talk, Rooney said Marquis’ current hot streak is largely down to Jackett’s recent willingness to be flexible with his formations.

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And he said if that approach continues, then both the striker and the Blues are sure to benefit.

Rooney said: ‘They’re definitely getting him (Marquis) at his best now.

‘When he arrived we were all excited, I don’t think there were many who thought “that’s a poor signing”.

‘Maybe there were a couple of worries about how you fit him into a Kenny Jackett side, but it was Jackett’s job to unlock the best out of him.

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‘Fourteen goals in 48 appearances in his first season was disappointing, only eight goals in League One.

‘But he always looked a little bit isolated when leading the line on his own.

‘When he was playing a 4-2-3-1, he never looked convincing, his hold-up play wasn’t the best. But now he’s got more bodies around him. I think Pompey are also pressing a higher a bit.

‘For me, he’s always had good movement, he’s always had chances on goal.

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‘Don’t get me wrong, he missed a couple of chances and still does.

‘But he always makes good runs. His movement is superb, even despite being in bad form.

‘But I think now, with him having more bodies around him, he does those runs a bit more convincingly now.

‘In the Lincoln game, the first goal, it was a great touch to bring it back and then curl it home.

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‘Then the second one... Marquis gambled, split the two centre-halves and nodded it home.

‘That’s the sign of a red-hot striker - gambling, getting across the defender, getting across the near post.

‘Pompey are really starting to appreciate how good a goalscorer he really is when you provide him with the ammunition.

‘If you keep doing that, then Marquis will keep banging them away and you think Pompey will then be right up there come the end of the season.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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