Danny Cowley makes Portsmouth selection admission

Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley has told Hampshire Live that he chose to leave Marcus Harness out of his recent starting line ups in order to keep the attacker fresh for the business end of the campaign. 

The winger has been one of the club’s outstanding performers this season and has helped the South Coast outfit to keep within touching distance of the top six as they aim to finally get promoted back to the Sky Bet Championship.

However Harness f0und himself as an unused substitute in Pompey’s last two games against Oxford United and Burton Albion respectively – leading to many scratches of the head from the club’s supporters.

Now Cowley has moved to clarify why he made the decision, as he revealed that it was a move made with the future in mind:

“We felt it was the right time to take him out and freshen him up physically and mentally, and the team and Marcus will benefit from that.”

The winger has racked up 10 goals and two assists across all competitions for Pompey this season.

His contract at Fratton Park is due to expire in the summer, however the club are said to possess the option to extend the deal by a further 12 months.

The Verdict 

Leaving Harness out was a strange decision by Cowley but at the same time it is one that half paid off as Pompey defeated Burton in their most recent league outing.

However looking more broadly you can see that he should have been starting, especially as the club fell to a potentially damaging defeat against Oxford.

There is no doubt that he’ll be straight back into the starting line up against Doncaster Rovers, with Pompey needing another win to keep the momentum going.

Leaving him out again would send alarm bells ringing.

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