x

Fratton contracts can wait - promotion bid comes first

Pompey players out of contract at the end of the season will have to wait to find out if they are being offered new deals - and what those deals contain.

The club say they want the squad focusing on the promotion race rather than contract talks - although some fans have expressed the view the lack of talks could be as much a distraction as talks.

The News reported that Danny Hollands, Ben Davies, Gareth Evans, Ben Tollitt, Brian Murphy and Brandon Haunstrup are out of contract in the summer.

But chief exec Mark Catlin told the players it was matches first, contracts second in terms of the club's priorities.

Catlin said: ‘With regard to contracts, we’ve left that until the end of the season now. It’s important we don’t want minds deviating from what is immediately in front of us and what the focus should be. That has to be the focus for everyone now.

‘Our season could potentially end in the next five weeks. So that’s where the attentions should be for now.’

He added: ‘Paul will keep the players abreast of what’s going on if he feels it is necessary to talk to them. That’s in the hands of the manager really. But there are no real negotiations, in the way I would regard it, ongoing with the players.

‘It’s only what the manager dictates to myself the board. We don’t really want to be talking about individuals at the moment. As a collective, it’s important there’s a recognition we’ve got eight games to go. The focus should be on those eight games — not about contracts.’

Advertisement

Click here to sign up for an account and reserve your username! You can then post on the Forum and add your comments to articles

What to read next:

Lincoln City 0 - 2 Portsmouth - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
No Pompey parade - but Southsea Common will see plenty of celebration
Pompey have had some memorable celebrations on Southsea Common since the turn of the century - and more such memories will be made on Sunday afternoon.
Portsmouth 1 - 2 Wigan Athletic - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Pompey have new heroes in 2024 - and it takes me back to 1983, 2012 and many points in between
Sometimes I think about something I want to write about, get straight to it and end up rambling on for about 2,000 words. But this is different. I want to write 2,000 words about the League One champions and don’t know where or how to start.
Portsmouth 3 - 2 Barnsley - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Bolton Wanderers 1 - 1 Portsmouth - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Right Pompey approach can bring rewards at Bolton
It could be the under-statement of the season - Bolton v Pompey described as being as 'interesting contest'.
Our feet are still on ground: Pompey goal hero takes it a game at a time
Owen Moxon insists it's still 'feet on ground' time for Pompey as they try to edge closer to promotion when they host Shrewsbury on Saturday.
He's been exceptional - Kamara wins high praise for inspiring Pompey win at Wycombe
Jon Harley was quick to heap praise on Abu Kamara after the winger produced another top-class display to inspire Pompey to an Easter treat of a victory at Wycombe Wanderers.
Pompey chief on the moves that should protect English football and its clubs
Pompey's chief executive believes the new Football Governance Bill will help make the game more sustainable - and protect clubs from rogue owners.