Westcarr eyeing bright Pompey times

Now Craig Westcarr is eyeing brighter times ahead as a bitterly disappointing campaign limps to its finale.

The Blues head to Mansfield tomorrow, bringing the curtain down on their away fixtures.

Then it will be York visiting Fratton Park the following weekend, with both fixtures offering the opportunity of morale-boosting victories.

For a side anticipated to be challenging for the play-offs by not only the club board and fans but also players, it has been a deflating year.

Amid it Westcarr has netted seven times in 36 games during his maiden Fratton Park season.

A free transfer from League One side Walsall in the summer, matters haven’t progressed as 
the 30-year-old had expected.

And he’s hopeful the future can deliver so much more.

He said: ‘It has been a disappointing campaign, obviously we know that.

‘Of course I was expecting more.

‘With this squad we shouldn’t really be in this position, it just hasn’t happened this year for certain reasons.

‘For me it wasn’t about coming down from the league above, it was about coming to Portsmouth and playing every week, which I thought I could do, and playing to my strengths – but it hasn’t happened this year.

‘I haven’t played a lot with Matt Tubbs.

‘I’ve barely played in a strikeforce all season to be honest!

‘I just have to take it on the chin and move forward. I will keep working hard and see what happens.

‘We will be looking to get promotion next year, giving everything for whoever is in charge and we’re looking forward to it.’

Of Westcarr’s 36 appearances, 12 of them have come from the bench as he attempts to convince the Fratton faithful of his worth.

Ryan Taylor’s ongoing groin injury presents the striker with the chance to keep his place at the One Call Stadium tomorrow.

In 2015, Westcarr has been restricted to just three Pompey starts, settling into a substitutes’ role.

But he wants to end the season on a high.

He added; ‘Hopefully I can start the next two games and get a couple of goals.

‘Obviously I am looking forward to Saturdays now, I am more happy and hopefully I can get my confidence back and play with a smile on my face again.

‘We all want next season to be what we thought this one would be.’