Portsmouth chief executive’s direct message to Fratton faithful following Hull and Plymouth challenges
The Pompey supporters’ “magnificent support” during the Blues’ most recent away games has been praised by Andy Cullen.
Today, the Fratton Park outfit returns to their home field when they play PO4 against Preston North End. However, the crucial match at the bottom of the Championship table comes after difficult road trips to Plymouth and Hull that did not increase Pompey’s point total as many had hoped.
In fact, John Mousinho’s team only managed one point out of a possible six despite overpowering the Pilgrims at Home Park in the middle of the week and putting up an incredible second half performance against the Tigers last Saturday.
The first team was accompanied by an impressive 3,249 Blues fans during those two games. They spent several hours travelling, setting early alarms, and returning home at inconvenient hours of the morning.
The club is aware of that support, though. In his programme remarks prior to today’s match against North End, Cullen also expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the amazing atmospheres created in both away ends.
Additionally, the CEO anticipated that the players’ enhanced on-field performances would enable them to better honour the devotion of the supporters this afternoon.
“Thank you once again for your wonderful support on the road,” Cullen wrote. 2,106 of you came to Hull on Saturday, while 1,143 Pompey supporters journeyed the 350 miles round way to Plymouth on Tuesday.
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Many of you did not return until after 2.30am, with the unpleasant prospect of little sleep and an early start for work a few hours later. This is always a difficult travel along the south coast.
Once more, we appreciate your dedication. Many of you remained after the game to acknowledge the players’ efforts and cheer them off the field because they were so grateful.
It was disheartening not to give the squad the victory they deserved in either game to appreciate such support. We had one of our greatest second-half performances of the season against Hull, and we started the game strongly at Plymouth, generating a number of
We can draw encouragement and optimism from both performances, though, and the players and staff need to bring that same mindset and drive to today’s match to give you the ideal pick-me-up before the season’s third international break.
Cullen also expressed gratitude to everyone who attended the Portsmouth Supporters’ Trust’s AGM on Wednesday, where he, Mousinho, and sporting director Rich Hughes were questioned.
Pompey was at the bottom of the Championship table, so there was a lot of conversation and some unfiltered passion. But according to the CEO, these gatherings were crucial.
We were happy to respond to enquiries on a wide range of subjects, he continued. Naturally, the major priorities were injuries, the January transfer window, player acquisition, and team performance. A video message from Michael and Eric Eisner also kicked off the evening.
Whether in good times or bad, these in-person gatherings that senior management attends are vital to our club’s identity.
“Having so many PST members individually approach us at the end of the evening with words of encouragement and support, along with belief in what we are trying to achieve, was both humbling and heartening, as well as a much-appreciated boost for the three of us.”
We appreciate everyone who tried to attend the meeting, especially the many who did so less than eighteen hours after coming back from Plymouth.
The club, however, is aware of that support. In addition, Cullen thanked everyone who contributed to the amazing atmospheres created in both away ends in his programme comments prior to today’s match against North End.
The chief executive also hoped those improved performances on the pitch would put the players in a better position to reward the fans’ loyalty this afternoon.
Cullen wrote: ‘Thank you once again for your magnificent support on the road. Last Saturday, 2,106 of you travelled to Hull and then on Tuesday, 1,143 Pompey fans made the 350-mile round-trip to Plymouth.
‘
Many of you did not return until after 2.30am, with the unpleasant prospect of little sleep and an early start for work a few hours later. This is always a difficult travel along the south coast.
Once more, we appreciate your dedication. Many of you remained after the game to acknowledge the players’ efforts and cheer them off the field because they were so grateful.
It was disheartening not to give the squad the victory they deserved in either game to appreciate such support. We had one of our greatest second-half performances of the season against Hull, and we started the game strongly at Plymouth, generating a number of
‘However, we can take heart and positivity from both displays and the players and staff must take that same mentality and desire into today’s contest to provide you with the perfect tonic before we head into the third international break of the season
Cullen also thanked those who participated in the Portsmouth supporters AGMon Wednesday, when questions were put to him, Mousinho and sporting director Rich Hughes.
With Pompey sitting bottom of the Championship table, there was much to discuss and some raw emotions displayed. However, the CEO said such get-togethers were important.
He added: ‘We were pleased to answer questions on a variety of different topics. Naturally, team performance, player recruitment, the January transfer window and injuries were very much at the top of the list. The evening also commenced with a video message from Michael and Eric Eisner.
‘These face-to-face events attended by senior management are critically important to the DNA of our club, whether in good or challenging times.
‘It was both humbling and heartening, as well as a much-appreciated boost for the three of us, to have so many PST members individually approach us at the end of the evening with words of encouragement and support, along with belief in what we are trying to achieve.
‘Thank you to everyone who made the effort to join the meeting and the large number who did so less than 18 hours after returning from Plymouth.
