On this day: Portsmouth favourite's plea to stay amid Leeds interest as Blues suffer 'embarrassing' defeat at Hawks

On this day in 2006, Svetoslav Todorov insisted he was desperate to stay at Pompey despite talk of a move to Leeds.
By Will Rooney
Published 1st Aug 2020, 07:00 BST
Svetoslav Todorov celebrates scoring for Pompey in thier defeat to the Hawks. Picture: Mick YoungSvetoslav Todorov celebrates scoring for Pompey in thier defeat to the Hawks. Picture: Mick Young
Svetoslav Todorov celebrates scoring for Pompey in thier defeat to the Hawks. Picture: Mick Young

The future of the Bulgarian fans’ favourite was in doubt with Harry Redknapp on the trail of a number of top-class strikers.

Redknapp wasn’t at the previous night's 3-1 friendly loss at the Hawks – despite a goal from Todorov.

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Rumours were rife the boss was in Turkey talking to Fenerbahce striker Nicolas Anelka.

Leeds were said to be lining up a £1.2m bid for Todorov.

But the forward was keen to stay at Fratton Park as he conceded the defeat at Westleigh Park was embarrassing.

He said: ‘It’s up to Portsmouth what happens. But I want to stay here. I love it here.

‘It was a disappointing performance. We should do better than that – we’re a Premiership side. It was embarrassing.'

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Pompey defender Linvoy Primus added: ‘We weren’t great in the first half and the second half was worse.

‘We hardly had any shots on target. It was poor. I don’t know if we weren’t mentally right, but it’s no excuse.

‘Most of us out there were playing for our futures.

‘The manager has to know even if he’s not going to start with us, he’s got players who can come in and do a job for him.'

Related topics:LeedsBluesPortsmouthPompeyHarry Redknapp

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