Brett Pitman admits the style of play at Ipswich Town didn’t suit him, but says he has no regrets over his time at Portman Road following a switch to League One club Portsmouth.
The 29-year-old scored 15 goals in 42 starts and 28 substitute during his two seasons with the Blues and enjoyed a few memorable moments. Mick McCarthy hailed him as the club’s best finisher, but Pitman never really got a run of games and he grew increasingly frustrated at a ‘super sub’ tag and having to play an unnatural target man role.
As a result, both parties felt it was time for a change this summer as McCarthy looks to freshen up his squad.
“Maybe the style of football didn’t suit me down to the ground at Ipswich,” Pitman told the Portsmouth News. “But I enjoyed my time there. It’s a good club with good people and a good manager.
“I might not have worked out how everyone wanted to in the end. But I definitely don’t regret going there and I enjoyed my time at the club.”
The former Bournemouth man has an impressive promotion pedigree throughout his career. He scored 28 goals as the Cherries were promoted from League Two in 2010, he grabbed 19 strikes as they went up from League One three years later and there were a further 14 efforts for the marksman as they soared to the Premier League as champions two years ago.
“There’s not many clubs I would’ve dropped down a league for,” said the Jersey-born player. “I don’t see really see it as a drop down, though. It’s an opportunity to get promoted. I’ve had three promotions in my career and there’s no better feeling, so hopefully I can get a fourth with Portsmouth.
“It wasn’t geography which was the attraction, it was coming to Portsmouth and playing in front of big crowds. The manager (Kenny Jackett) has spoken about how he wants to play, and people will see that over the season.
“He’s got a great track record for promotion at this level, and there’s no reason he can’t do it here.”
He added: “I’ve played at Fratton Park before as an away player and you realise how good the fans are. That was an attraction as was the project the manager sold to me. They were the main reasons.”
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