Striker Joe Pigott, who joined Portsmouth on a season-long loan on Friday, admits he never got into a rhythm with the Blues during 2021/22 and didn’t do himself justice during his time at Portman Road.

The 28-year-old signed for Town on a free transfer last summer having left AFC Wimbledon, but had a frustrating campaign, scoring only three times in 14 starts and 15 sub appearances.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to be here and I’m really hoping that I can enjoy my football this season,” the Maidstone-born frontman told the Portsmouth News

“Last term, I didn’t really enjoy my football at all and opportunities were limited.

“I never really got into a rhythm last year, which is hard but I’m looking forward to finding it this year.

“I probably didn’t do myself justice when I did play, but this season is a fresh start for me and I can’t wait.”

Pigott says he spoke to former Pompey man Conor Chaplin before making his decision to move to Fratton Park.

“I made initial contact with [Portsmouth first team assistant coach] Simon [Bassey] twice before I came down.

“I knew him really well when I was at AFC Wimbledon [where Bassey previously coached], so it's good to have a familiar face.

“I’ve got a good relationship with him, I’ve known him for a few years and he signed me at Wimbledon when I was in non-league and I owe him a lot.

“I spoke to Conor as well, who came through the ranks here and said what a fantastic club it is and spoke really well about the fans.

“Even without those two helping my decision, Portsmouth Football Club is not a club you turn down.”

Town reportedly will not be able to recall Pigott in January. The striker is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2024.

Photo: Matchday Images

grinch added 16:09 - Jul 17 We just wanted effort and goals and if that is what you call rhythm then yes you didn't get into it
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Suffolkboy added 16:19 - Jul 17 Let's not do the man down ; he's being blunt and totally honest about a disappointing season for him at ITFC . Wish him every success at finding form ,rhythm and confidence again so HE can enjoy his chosen profession ! COYB
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ArnieM added 16:22 - Jul 17 I think he had a tough first season here in light of his dads sudden death. Coping with that and a move to a new (big) club was probably a bit too much for him to allow him to settle. He struggled. I hope he comes good at Pompey , he deserves that, and he is still our player, so who knows.
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midastouch added 16:34 - Jul 17 He didn't have the Rhythm to play the Blues. Maybe he can put that right at Pompey? Feed the Pompey Pig and he might score!
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chepstowblue added 16:39 - Jul 17 I'd be more worried about facing Pigott in an opposition side than Norwood. He was unplayable when they thrashed us during the pandemic. This guy given the right service will score plenty. For whatever reason we got nothing out of our strikers in the 2nd part of last season and to be honest could have played without a number 9 so ineffectual were they. Much like Will Keane last season I'd expect this guy to score more goals than any of our current strikers. Why.....because it always happens!

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BlueandTruesince82 added 16:51 - Jul 17 Bonne was so good at the start of the season so he was unlucky there but equally didn't take his chances when they came, he knows that from the interview, hope he damages some of rivals throughout the season
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ArnieM added 16:53 - Jul 17 Chepstowblue: I'm with you 100% on this.
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ThaiBlue added 17:13 - Jul 17 He never done it at town and never will we move on.
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chopra777 added 17:24 - Jul 17 All the players suffered initially because of PC lack of tactical knowhow. Bonne was given the first nod. Poor Piggott's confidence suffered having been topdog at Wimbledon and the rest of the season had its ups and down. When a striker misses penalties there is long way back. Hopefully we will get a goal scorer back after his loan. Look what Wolfie's loan did for him. I hope KM uses a strong XI against Millwall. Because Needham Market and Wimbledon do not show what the season will bring.

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ringwoodblue added 17:26 - Jul 17 He's still our player so I wish him well this year and hope he will come back all guns blazing for our return to the Championship.
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DJR added 18:05 - Jul 17 I wish him well as he seems a nice lad. He doesn't strike me as the most confident of people in any event, so losing his dad and being out of favour early on didn't really help. I am sure with the right team he will do well.
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billlm added 18:14 - Jul 17 Didn't meen to up vote the Grinch,
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fifeblue added 19:29 - Jul 17 I am so glad to see the many supportive comments towards Joe Pigott. The few games he did play he looked ok to me but his lack of opportunities would have had a detrimental effect on his confidence. I believe he is a fine player and I hope he has a good season, except if he plays against us of course (will that be allowed?), and if he returns next summer then maybe he will be able to contribute to Ipswich Town in the Championship season 23-24.

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ArnieM added 19:39 - Jul 17 No he won't be allowed to play against as it's a condition of his loan apparently. Thank god for that. One ex striker scoring against us this season will be enough I think ….
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Bluedocker added 19:41 - Jul 17 Feel sorry for him should have been given a chance when bonne went off the boil.
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Jugsy added 19:45 - Jul 17 Nice lad, sad personal circumstances and a shame it didn't work out. The reality of our club now is that we're creating competition throughout the squad to get results. Very little space for sentiment and carrying players. I watched Pigott a number of times, I'd bet on him at the start of the season to be top goal scorer and was excited to have him. Not once did he show any of his strengths or potential, chances aren't given - they need to be taken and he didn't once step up. We may have been a club too far for him. Also, I assume he can't play against us this season with it being a loan so would believe he won't get a chance to score against us.

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cat added 19:53 - Jul 17 Good move for him and good move for us. Didn't get the rub with us but showed glimpses of what he capable of. How anyone can suggest he put in no effort in (grinch) beggars belief. If anything he tried to hard!
4

Linkboy13 added 20:21 - Jul 17 Never impressed McKenna enough to warrant a starting place in the team. On the other hand Jackson did and got his just desserts. For me he lacked pace and won very little in the air for a big man. For me moving to a big club like Ipswich from Wimbledon is a bit like going up a league the pressure's are that much greater. Hope he does well at Portsmouth and prove the doubters wrong.

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runningout added 22:23 - Jul 17 Hope JP rips the league up this season
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d77sgw added 00:11 - Jul 18 Ha ha, yes, love it Cookiscooking - none of this ‘wish him all the best” carp from you. Personally I hope that on his child's birthday he gives them a helium balloon which, after a few moments of joy, they inadvertently let go of said balloon, and as it disappears into the stratosphere they express such sadness that Mr Piggot feels crushed emotionally.
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Bazza8564 added 09:24 - Jul 18 Linkboy has it 100% right. I wish Pigs well, at least as a loanee he cant score against us! Im sure he is a nice guy and hope he does well, as long as Portsmouth stay below us! If he struggles we wont get a decent fee for him so lets hope all round it goes well
2

Razor added 10:09 - Jul 18 Scored a lot of goals in an average Wimbledon team----never got a rhythm because the manager mucked him about and never played him---hope you have a fantastic season son and get loads of goals and then come back and fire us up the championship!
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blues1 added 10:43 - Jul 18 Razor. Would be hoping.g when/if he comes back at the end of the season, we're already in the championship. There is no recall on the loan. That was a clause cowley wanted in the deal before agreeing to sell harness to us.
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drewcudders1963 added 10:54 - Jul 18 Didn't get enough of a run in the team.... there's a decent goalscorer in there just waiting to get out..... best wishes at Pompey...... not too much though we don't want them challenging at the top of League on the back of your goals !
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BeattiesBackPocket added 12:09 - Jul 18 Let's be honest I've said before all strikers need a run of games and he didn't get them then unfortunately when he came in for the odd game always seemed off the pace which again happens without match sharpness and playing games. You need to form relationships all over the pitch and he can't in and out of the team. Good luck to him but let's not forget it's a loan so if he bangs in a load of goals against our opponents then great we may have him back in jan to finish the season off in style.

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