The big Colby Bishop call from Portsmouth dressing room as striker fires Blackburn Rovers riposte to critics
Colby Bishop produced a muted celebration after returning to the goal trail against Blackburn Rovers, following criticism for a barren run - but there’s belief and support for the striker from the Fratton dressing room.
Colby Bishop will deliver a host of finishes in the Championship for Pompey this season after returning to the goal trail.
That’s the belief of his the striker’s team-mate Odin Bailey, as the Blues dressing room rallied in support of their under-fire striker.
Bailey on Bishop: ‘I think that is going to be the first of many for him’
Bishop left the bench after being taken out of the starting XI to rescue a 2-2 draw against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
It was the 29-year-old’s first effort of the season and his second from open play in over a year, after enduring a tough run in front of goal.
The League One title winner produced a muted celebration and refused interview requests following the game, after diverting in Ryan Kavuma-McQueen’s drive at goal.
Bishop’s form has been a talking point this term, but his Pompey team-mate Odin Bailey backed the No9 to deliver a run of goal form this term after getting off the mark.
Bailey said: ‘Everyone is delighted for him.
‘He works so hard each and every day, he works hard every time he plays.
‘Sometimes as a striker you just need a goal like that one he scored.
‘That’s going to be huge for his confidence, I think that is going to be the first of many for him this season.
‘With Colby, there’s a lot more to him than just goals.
‘But, again, Colby will tell you himself he wants to score goals.
‘He’s a finisher and a great finisher.
‘It’s football and sometimes you don’t find the back of the net, but the goal has gone in off his chest and hopefully that can kickstart his season.’
Bailey helped Pompey back into the game after his 63rd-minute introduction, with his fourth appearance off the bench since arriving from Stockport County this summer.
The 26-year-old was introduced for skipper Marlon Pack in the middle of the park, before being deployed in his preferred role further forward.
Bailey added: ‘The game was chaotic and the first touch I gave it away, so I knew I had to be fast and quick with everything I did.
‘It was a chaotic game, but after that first touch I settled into it.
‘If anything that helped me though, because I knew I had to speed up everything I did.
‘I settled into the game then and the gaffer moved me higher into that No10 position, which is probably where I feel most comfortable.
‘Then I found myself being able to affect the game in the way I feel I can.’