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Cowley: Harness Has Championship Quality
Saturday, 16th Jul 2022 09:19

Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley believes new Blues signing Marcus Harness has “Championship quality”.

The 26-year-old joined Town on a three-year deal - with the club having an option for a further season - for an undisclosed fee last night, while Joe Pigott moved to Pompey on loan for the season.

The two deals are understood not to have been linked, although it appears Town weren’t prepared to sign off the Pigott move - which had been all but done since early in the week - until the Harness switch was sorted.

“We’re sad to say goodbye to Marcus, who was a key player for us last season — both with his [12] goals and [seven] assists,” Cowley told the Portsmouth News.

“He’s someone who I think has Championship quality, but ultimately it was the right time for him to move on.

“And with only a year left on his contract, it makes good business sense for us and gives us some flexibility in further developing our squad.

“I’m sure all our supporters will join me in wishing Marcus the very best for his career and we appreciate his efforts in a Pompey shirt.”

Harness, who joined Portsmouth for £800,000 from Burton in the summer of 2019, had been linked with Championship pair Swansea and Blackburn earlier in the close season.


Photo: ITFC



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PortmanTerrorist added 09:30 - Jul 16
We offload a squad player (on loan so cannot hurry us) for one of the better players in the league and Cowley thinks it is good business. LOL

At last we are dominating in the transfer market rather than being stood with our begging bowl out. Great but if business indeed Mr Ashton and ITFC team.
8

ArnieM added 09:36 - Jul 16
So why didn't they keep him then ?
0

Marshalls_Mullet added 09:42 - Jul 16
PT - I suspect we paid a hefty fee too.

AM - we will have paid a decent fee, he wanted to leave and could move for free next summer.
7

Lukeybluey added 09:48 - Jul 16
This was well and truly out of the blue...we might be linked to loads of different players, chances are we're probably not interested in any of them!
6

LegendofthePhoenix added 10:01 - Jul 16
what I like about this deal almost as much as signing Harkness, is that JP is loaned to them. That way we get at least part of JP's wages off our books, whilst we see if he can find his scoring boots, this increasing his value to us. If he has a good season at Pompey, who knows what - either a return to ITFC full of confidence, or sell this time next year.

It seems that KM is signing players who are both full of energy and capable of playing in 2 or 3 positions, hence we have cover for injuries, suspensions and international call ups. Great piece of business.
11

Bazza8564 added 10:25 - Jul 16
Just love the way Mark Ashton does business. All those people who say we havent spent any money can now crawl back under their stone and as you guys say above, Pigott moves away from (most) of our wage bill. I reckon this is a £1m+ deal, especially with Championship clubs in the hunt for him (allegedly).
But think about this, we got £1.4m or so bonus on the Downes deal, even if we paid that for Marcus, we still havent used any of our transfer fee budget yet. And please don't tell me there is'nt one. So theoretically at least, the best is yet to come!!
3

Suffolkboy added 10:49 - Jul 16
There's plenty of nous and intelligent pre- planning goes on now at P Rd – throughout the Club ,in it seems all areas of activity !
At last an air of confidence ,even some swagger ,but certainly the old sense of pride in our smashing club is becoming evident !
Long may this trend continue
,
Great stuff !
COYB
6

Jugsy added 10:51 - Jul 16
The moves weren't linked, but we wouldn't sign off on Pigott until Harness signed. Pretty linked then :D not that I care, this is awesome business
3

Linkboy13 added 10:54 - Jul 16
Think its pretty obvious he wanted to move on and was offered good terms at Ipswich. He's got a good scoring and assists record so don't know why some people are so negative when we sign a player.
4

Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 11:10 - Jul 16
"The two deals are understood not to have been linked, although it appears Town weren't prepared to sign off the Pigott move... until the Harness switch was sorted."

This means they were linked, no :)
1

MickMillsTash added 11:46 - Jul 16
Common Sense appearing to be more common at Portman Road than in many years.
Harkness has good stats and has always impressed
Pigott has struggled at Ipswich
Good Days work
The hardest task remains - an additional centre forward But cause for confidence
2

terryf added 12:13 - Jul 16
Arnie, I would imagine with one year left on his contract Harness wasn't interested in extending it, therefore selling him was a good option rather than walking free in year's time. Also they obviously wanted Piggott and Ashton was playing hard ball until the deal was done. Wonder if they'll still pursue Celina now?

Bring in a quality LWB and CF and we can all sit back and enjoy the ride.!!!
2


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