Utaka talks the talk...

...now lets hope John Utaka walks the walk!

Earlier in the week Harry Redknapp insisted that next season we would see the best of Utaka, now the Nigerian has himself told sky sports the same thing: 'the fans here have not seen the best of me yet. This season has been a learning exercise, just as I expected. Next season will be a lot brighter from me - that I promise.

'I wasn't fit for the semi-final but I was there cheering the team and I saw how wide the pitch was at Wembley. I thought it would suit me very well if I could make it for the final.

'The first thing about playing in England I remember was at Derby having to stop and catch my breath and ask myself, 'Just what exactly is going on here?' It was that fast - although I think I've become more used to that and the more physical style now - and far different from in France and Egypt.

'We've done well as a team, especially our great away record this season.

'But what has been disappointing for me personally is that there have been times when I have tried to do something and knew the ability was there to do it but for some reason it didn't work.

'I look at the videos of matches and my performances and still can't find the full answer but I'm hopeful it will come with more experience. I'm feeling very good at the moment and ready to do well'.

Follow these words up with actions fella and you could become an absolute Pompey legend and I clearly hope he does.

As said in my article earlier in the week - click here - I do hope that Utaka does deliver next season. Although it does take time to adapt to life in England my thinking has been that his main problem has been one of a lack of application rather than ability. If he shows this willingness, as he seems to be suggesting, then he will be a star without doubt. He has to show this, if not then he will not have a future with the club.

In regards to his thoughts on playing at Wembley in the cup final I am entirely on his wavelength with that, on the wide open surface of Wembley - if he shows up - he will have a field day and could almost single handed win us the FA cup guys, and this is not an overstatement.

PLAY UP POMPEY!