Pompey's Marquis Signing Keeps The Faith

JOHN Marquis insists he’s feeling no added pressure following his £2m summer switch to Portsmouth – and is convinced the goals will soon flow.

- Dave Flett

Heading into the weekend, the 27-year-old forward had netted just one league goal following his marquee move from Doncaster, where he plundered 67 goals in three seasons.

Marquis was even hauled off at half-time during Pompey’s 2-1 victory over his old team last weekend but rightly points out that he endured longer barren spells when he was establishing himself as one of the Football League’s most consistent marksmen.

He once went 11 matches without netting for Rovers and attaches no relevance to his transfer fee when reflecting on a modest start at Fratton Park.

“I don’t think about that, because that was nothing to do with me,” the Lewisham-born striker reasoned. “Doncaster decided on a fee they wanted, and Portsmouth were willing to pay it.

“That’s football and how transfers work. I don’t feel I have to prove much to anyone, because I’ve shown what I can do at this level.

“I had worse runs at Doncaster, so I know how to get through these spells and how to manage them. You just have to keep believing, make sure your performance levels stay high and get into good positions where you believe the ball will go with good service.