Clarke's message to Portsmouth stars as he speaks out on future

Matt Clarke weighed up his Pompey future and asked: Why would I want to leave?

And the defender has told his team-mates being linked with a move away from the Blues they can fulfil their ambitions at Fratton Park.

Pompey's Matt Clarke. Picture: Joe Peplerplaceholder image
Pompey's Matt Clarke. Picture: Joe Pepler

Clarke explained he can't see why players would want to be anywhere else as they bid to make it a season to remember.

The 22-year-old remains one of his club's most bankable assets and has been linked with a host of sides after producing consistently excellent form.

Pompey's Matt Clarke. Picture: Joe Peplerplaceholder image
Pompey's Matt Clarke. Picture: Joe Pepler

But with Pompey bidding for League One success and in two cup competitions, Clarke doesn't see why anyone would move in such an exciting period.

Clarke said: '˜People are being linked with places and it's that time of year.

'˜It'll be boring if I don't get linked anywhere, but there's still plenty of time yet!

'˜The majority of the club don't want to get anywhere at this stage because there's no better club to be at than Portsmouth right now.

'˜We're in two cups and top of the league. It's a great place to be.

'˜We speak about playing a lot of games in your career but the other side of it is having success in your career. That's equally as important.

'˜People can go hundreds of games without feeling that success.

'˜I've had a taste of it with winning League Two and that's definitely something I want to feel again.

'˜Success is what you crave as a footballer. You want promotions and success.

'˜So you don't want to be anywhere but Portsmouth right now.'

Jack Whatmough was the latest player to be touted for a move this week, as he was linked with Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen.

That follows on from reports of a flurry of Championship sides being interested in Jamal Lowe.

Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Middlesbrough and West Brom were all said to be keen on the 24-year-old.

Leicester, Brighton, Leeds, Sheffield United and Derby were among a swathe of clubs reported to be be keeping tabs on Ronan Curtis.

Clarke feels there's a desire for those players to create memories with Pompey, however.

He added: '˜I think some of the lads have joked why would he (Jack) go up there (to Scotland)!

'˜It's a positive that he's doing well and being linked with clubs like that, though.

'˜Jamz (Lowe) was linked with clubs like Forest, but the other side of it is let's get promoted and get up there ourselves.

'˜That's what we're all aspiring to do.

'˜It's a compliment that these players are doing well and catching the eye.

'˜The gaffer has said he wants to come out of the window stronger than he started.

'˜That's something which goes for all of the football club and players as well.'

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