Rose's wise words for Portsmouth's forgotten man

Danny Rose has revealed his words of encouragement to boost fellow forgotten man Louis Dennis.
Louis Dennis is still awaiting his Pompey debut. Picture: Joe PeplerLouis Dennis is still awaiting his Pompey debut. Picture: Joe Pepler
Louis Dennis is still awaiting his Pompey debut. Picture: Joe Pepler

And the midfielder is backing Pompey's summer recruit to shine when finally presented with an opportunity.

Dennis has yet to make his Blues debut, despite becoming Kenny Jackett's second signing of the close season.

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Instead the ex-Bromley man has featured solely in reserve-team action, netting in Monday night's 2-1 win over Oxford United.

Louis Dennis is still awaiting his Pompey debut. Picture: Joe PeplerLouis Dennis is still awaiting his Pompey debut. Picture: Joe Pepler
Louis Dennis is still awaiting his Pompey debut. Picture: Joe Pepler

Dennis also registered in the previous second-string outing '“ a 1-1 draw at Reading in a behind-closed-doors encounter earlier this month.

Rose can empathise with the 25-year-old's battle for first-team recognition, having himself featured only twice this term.

And the League Two title-winner has been on hand to reassure the former non-leaguer that his chance will come.

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Rose said: '˜Louis is still to make his debut for the club, it's long awaited, I think he has been really patient and his time will definitely come.

Pompey midfielder Danny RosePompey midfielder Danny Rose
Pompey midfielder Danny Rose

'˜He will take it with both hands, I am sure, because he has acquitted himself superbly in all the behind-closed-doors games we've had.

'˜He's another one sitting in the same boat as me, just waiting for his chance.

'˜Some players need an arm around them, some need encouraging in a different kind of way '“ and I've spoken to Louis.

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'˜With Louis, I wouldn't say I have looked after him, but we've talked about this numerous times and I've made sure he keeps doing the right things because there certainly is a player in him.

'˜There is a reason why he was among the manager's first signings this summer.

'˜He is unfortunate that the likes of Jamal Lowe and Ronan Curtis have hit the ground running as well as they have done, otherwise he might have been called upon if they hadn't had such a good start to the season.'

Such is the strength of Pompey's squad and the impressive start to the campaign, others have also found themselves on the fringes.

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That includes loanees David Wheeler and Joe Mason, who both also featured in Monday night's reserve match.

And, as an elder statesmen, Rose has been listening.

He added: '˜There are a few others as well, lads who have come in on loan.

'˜I'm not sure whether they expected to play straight away, but have found themselves on the periphery simply because we've been doing so well and getting results, still unbeaten.

'˜I wouldn't say the team picks itself, but if you win the game you are not expecting the team to change too much, so I talk to them.

'˜It's definitely a case of looking after some of the other lads, who will take it in a different way, maybe taking it personally and go into their shell a little bit.'