'Getting there': New Portsmouth hero convinced Fratton faithful are starting to see the real him
The former Fulham man has now started five of the Blues’ last eight matches
Ibane Bowat toasted his latest huge Pompey landmark as he edges towards convincing the Fratton faithful of his worth.
The central defender turned in his most complete performance yet of an injury-wrecked Blues career by grabbing the winner - and The News’ man of the match - against Blackburn.
It represented only his sixth Pompey appearance since arriving in August 2024, having missed all of last season with a serious knee injury.
And, following that lengthy lay-off, Bowat is convinced he’s gradually getting back towards the form he knows he’s capable of.
Bowat: I’m getting stronger, quicker and sharper
He told The News: ‘This is a good confidence booster for me and, as I have always said, it’s about staying fit and being ready mentally and physically whenever I am called upon to fill in and do my job.
‘Ever since I have arrived here, I’ve felt the atmosphere, and couldn’t wait for a day like Saturday, seeing how the crowd erupts and the smile on people’s faces. That’s why I play football.
‘My confidence is growing, I’m getting more and more comfortable within my peers and on that pitch as well, having been out for that long.
‘Sometimes it takes time to find your bearings again, I feel l’ve now found that and I’m ready to push on and kick on and get more and more games under my belt.
‘I think I’m getting there, although I still feel I've got a bit to go. I know what my true performances are when at 100 per cent. When you’ve been out for more than a year, it does take a little while to get back up to things.
‘But I definitely think I’m getting there game by game, I’m getting stronger, quicker and sharper. That showed on Saturday and I just want to build on that.’
A fifth start in eight Portsmouth matches
Bowat has now started five of Pompey’s last eight matches, with opportunities opening up following injury to fellow defenders.
The absences of Conor Shaughnessy, Connor Ogilvie and now Josh Knight and Regan Poole have thrust the 23-year-old into Mousiho’s starting XI.
As a consequence, he was in the right place to be the unlikely hero with his set-piece goal against Rovers on Saturday.
And Bowat was delighted that all the hard work under first-team coach and set-piece man Michael Doyle had finally paid off.
‘Be aggressive, be dominant and be front footed’
He added: ‘We’ve put in a lot of work on the training ground with set-pieces and I’m just glad it has finally paid off and come to fruition.
‘We have spent a lot of time on them, it’s definitely an area we’ve recognized that we can be better at, defensively and offensively.
‘My instructions were to lose my marker and to attack the ball. Obviously it’s a bit more detailed than that, there are few more nuances, but, on the whole, that is the message. Be aggressive, be dominant and be front footed.’