'I haven't had the best of Portsmouth seasons': Why modest Regan Poole isn't happy
The Wales international has made 67 appearances and scored four times for the Blues
By his own harsh admission, the ever-modest Regan Poole is enjoying a ‘half-decent’ Pompey season.
For one of the Blues’ most impressive performers this campaign is adamant he has still to return to the heights he soared at the very start of his Fratton Park career.
The Welshman has been a pivotal presence in John Mousinho’s line-up this term, with only Andre Dozzell having started more Championship fixtures.
Now over the injuries which dogged his opening two Pompey seasons, the 27-year-old has consistency shone in the heart of the defence amid what has developed into another relegation battle.
Poole burst onto the Blues scene in July 2023, arriving on a free transfer from Lincoln and swiftly establishing himself as an outstanding presence in a table-topping League One team.
However, a devastating ACL injury at Chesterfield in November 2023 stalled a flourishing domestic and international career, weeks after his Wales debut against Gibraltar.
And, setting his standards high, the former Manchester United man insists he has yet to regain those levels - despite being one of Pompey’s best players this term.
‘I haven’t had the best of seasons, I haven’t had the worst’
Poole told The News: ‘I remember last season, after we had signed a few centre-halves, I was asked whether that made me feel under threat. But I feel competition for places has to be there, whether you are playing or not.
‘I haven’t had the best of seasons, I haven’t had the worst, there's definitely room for improvement for myself, especially from where I was when I first signed for Pompey.
‘I definitely know I can be better, there’s always room for improvement. You want to be winning and playing as many minutes as you can, so there’s definitely room for improvement there.
‘I’ve had a half-decent season to be fair, but I feel I have a lot more to give. I have high standards and it’s tough because I started my Pompey career pretty well, so I just want to get back to that - I don’t think I am there yet.
‘I can definitely get there and have improved since last season, building and building and building. Whether I get back to where I want to be, this is a different league so it’s hard to compare, but I’m in a good place.
‘I know it’s hard to compare, that was League One, we were top and flying at the time, which is a lot easier. I still want to get back to that, I think you have to, you can't be content with what you’re doing unless you are playing at the top, top of your game.
‘I don't feel I’m at the top, top of my game, like where I was then. Whether it's a different league or not, I definitely feel there’s room for improvement - and hopefully I can get it.’
Missed two matches this season
Poole has missed just two matches so far this season, having been ruled out with an ankle injury for December matches against Swansea and Blackburn.
And one particular area pinpointed for improvement by Poole is in his goal return, having failed to score this season - with four in 67 appearances overall in his Blues record.
He added: ‘If I had added a few more goals I’d be a bit happier, that’s the main one to improve on.
‘I could have had a few goals this season, for example, some 3-4 goals, which is frustrating. At the start of my Pompey career, I scored three goals in my opening 12 games.
‘If I could add a few more, I’d be happier’
‘I’ve had the chances, but not taken them. We haven’t scored as many goals this season, so, if I could have contributed in that way, it would have made a bit of a difference.
‘I’m not the biggest centre-half, I’m not going to be towering over people, but I’ve had chances this season to put the ball into the net and haven’t. If I could do that and add a few more, I’d be happier.’