Ashdown: I'm Looking For a Club

Jamie Ashdown has admitted to The News that he is feeling disheartened having not made the Pompey starting line up in so long. He currently shares reserve matches with Kiely and has Saturdays off to spend with his family.

The keeper said;

'I think sometimes you question yourself. You're training hard, but just you're not playing games regularly.

'It's a Saturday morning, and you're not involved with the first team. So you're thinking: 'what am I doing wrong?'

'I go out with my family and try to take my mind off things. It's difficult. I enjoy being with my family, of course, but when you see the scores come up, you want to be part of it. We went to Marwell Zoo the other Saturday - anything to take your mind off what's going on.

'But you can't resist putting the radio on in the car to find out the score. Then you watch Match of the Day on the tele and wish you were playing, or at least in the squad. It's a little bit exhausting. You do take it home a little bit. I'm the sort of person who likes to play week in, week out or at least be involved.'

'It's been very frustrating recently. I've had a couple of injuries - I broke my thumb and had a back operation in the summer. Looking at the goalkeepers here, David James and Dean Kiely, there is a lot of experience there. So that's probably why I'm not getting a look in. Hopefully it's not about ability. I think I've got that. That's why it's frustrating.

'It's one of those situations. The gaffer is playing David James, and can't leave Deano off the bench, really, with his experience. That's fair enough, but it hurts for me. It can be difficult getting up for it, to keep doing the right things and to prove I'm as good as the other goalkeepers here.

'I'm trying to learn things. But you want to put it into practice. I've worked hard and got myself fit again. It would be good to get away from here for a little while, to clear my head.

Portsmouth have made Ashdown available on loan;

'There's been interest. A club came in this week, but I didn't think it was the right move for me. I'm trying mainly to get into the Championship, to be a number one somewhere. If that chance comes along, I'll take it.

'I don't really want to drop too much further unless I have to. With January coming up, I want to be in the window. I don't want to be number three here all season.

'The thing is with Pompey, it's such a good thing to be part of at the moment, with what's being achieved.

'But I don't really feel part of it, which is hard to take, especially as I was playing so much until earlier this year. It's difficult to let go. You come to training every day hoping to get your chance. That's why I'm doing extra training at the moment.

'I'm getting home at 4pm most days. So my fitness is definitely up there. David Coles, our goalkeeping coach, has been brilliant and given me lots of time. So it's just about being ready for that first-team call-up, even if it's on the bench. Hopefully I'm still thought of maybe next season, or whatever.'

Hang in there Jamie, although James and Kiely have experience they are getting on. You are Pompey`s future goalkeeper and I believe that Kiely will leave in January anyway!

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