Jordan fires rallying call

Pompey face gruelling schedule

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 15th October 2008

Jordan Joe

Jordan: Is going to be a busy coach

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Joe Jordan has called on Portsmouth's fringe players to prove their worth over the coming weeks.

The South Coast club are readying themselves for a daunting run of fixtures, starting at Aston Villa on Saturday.

The trip to Villa Park eases Pompey into a gruelling schedule of four fixtures in a nine-day stretch, a run which begins with a tricky tie in Portugal against Braga in the Uefa Cup.

Harry Redknapp's squad is likely to be pushed to the limit as injuries and suspensions begin to play their part, meaning those waiting patiently for a chance to shine must be ready to grasp their opportunity when it comes along.

Competition

"We have a demand coming up because we have a busy phase of games," Jordan told The News.

"We need players fit and we need to keep them fit.

"We need the players who are important to us because we have a lot of matches in a short period.

"There are those who are out of it because others are playing well. They are out of things because there are other players in the team.

"You can't play them all. But that's what competition is for.

Depth

"Some clubs trying to break into the top four don't have that player to come in when one of their big players gets injured or suspended.

"We have big players at this club. That's why we have brought them here.

"You have got to have players in different positions to make a demand on that position.

"You have got to have a squad to do that."