'I'm a late bloomer': Why Portsmouth newcomer arrives at Fratton Park in the form of his life
The midfielder made 140 appearances and scored 12 times after joining Stockport in September 2023
The self-confessed ‘late bloomer’ has arrived at Fratton Park off the back of the best season of his career.
And, at the age of 26, Odin Bailey is convinced there is still plenty more to come as he seeks to continue blossoming with Pompey.
As a prodigiously talented England youth international winger with Birmingham, much was expected from Bailey, an Academy contemporary of Jude Bellingham.
However, by the age of 23 he had been exiled from Salford’s first-team, having fallen out of favour at the League Two club.
Rescued by Stockport County, Bailey resurrected his fading career, achieving promotion and two play-off finals as he shone in the centre of midfield for Dave Challinor’s men.
And now, following a summer switch to Pompey, he finds himself back in the Championship - six-and-a-half years after his last appearance at the level.
‘The best season of my professional career so far’
Bailey told The News: ‘I’m a bit of a late bloomer. Some people get it quite early, some people get it late, but last year was the best season I’ve had in my professional career so far.
‘It’s one where I lent on a lot of my past experiences and it has been a big period of growth and understanding who I am as a person and a player, on and off the pitch. Last season, it all came together.
‘I’d like to think my all-round game is quite good. I used to be a winger, I used to be a 10, I’ve played as a six, played as an eight, with my attributes I’ve played loads of different positions. Now I’ve nailed down something solid.
‘When I was younger I was a winger dribbling at people, a lot more skills, whereas now I feel like my game is a lot more refined, I play to my strengths. I don’t try to be someone I am not.
‘That’s all it is, taking me a few years to really home in on what I am good at, what gets the best out of me on the football pitch, and what position. I feel that all clicked last year and am now a better player.
‘I’ve been through a lot of hard moments in my career, especially at Salford, and have learnt from that adversity. The person I have become is something I am really proud of and something I will carry me for the rest of my career.
‘I definitely haven’t reached my potential. I had a good season last year, but I know there’s a lot more to go, I know I can add a lot more goals and assists. I believe in my ability.
‘In the past I put too much pressure on myself and sometimes it makes you too tense. Last season I learnt to just go and enjoy your football, everything else takes care of itself. That’s what works for me.
‘I still have a lot more to show. I am now 26, coming into the prime of my career, so hopefully I can keep going from strength to strength.’
First Fratton Park signing of the summer
Bailey was Pompey’s first signing of the summer after joining on a three-year deal following his Stockport release.
He made 47 appearances and scored six times last season as they finished third in League One, before losing to Bolton in May’s play-off final at Wembley.
The former Birmingham man started that showpiece occasion in his customary central-midfield role, operating as a number eight to utilise the attacking talents of a former winger.
And Bailey is convinced that represents his most effective position in a team.
‘My best position is an eight’
He added: ‘My best position is an eight, a box to box midfielder. I like to be someone who can drop in deep, get on the ball, but also create and score goals.
‘When I get myself in the box, I want to help the team as much as I can with assists and goals - the eight position allows me to do that.
‘As a six you probably don’t get enough licence to go forward and, as a 10, I don’t get enough licence to be able to constantly stay connected in the game and get the ball. I like to always be involved in the game, get a lot of touches on the ball, trying to make things happen as much as I can.
‘The biggest thing for me is the more I get myself on the ball, the more I start positively impacting games.’
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