Portsmouth finally got their summer underway this week with the capture of Ipswich Town centre forward Ellis Harrison.
We find out how good this news is in our latest FLW Six Pointer with Gary Hutchinson.....
Who is Ellis Harrison?
“Harrison is a centre forward, 25-years-old and last seen at Portman Road with Ipswich Town.
“He’s 5ft 11in tall and has 225 senior appearances to his name.”
What’s his background?
“He came through the ranks at Bristol Rovers, making his debut there in the 2010/11 season against Southampton.
“He struggled to make an impression until they dropped out of the Football League, but he bagged 20 in 40 matches during the brief hiatus in the National League.
“After they bounced back, he grabbed 31 goals in 123 matches, 20 coming in League One. That earned him a move to the Championship with Ipswich.”
How did he fare at Ipswich?
“Not well at all. He scored once in 17 matches, but he just didn’t make the step up to the second tier.
“His goals return wasn’t that special at Bristol Rovers, his best season in League One saw him bag 12 in 44 matches. That’s less than one in three which isn’t great for a forward.
“He was a Paul Hurst signing and once Paul Lambert arrived, chances were few and far between. He might have had a chance for them in League One, but after James Norwood signed, he was always likely to leave.”
What type of striker is he?
“He can be a bit of a flair player, he likes to run at defenders and get the crowd on their feet. He’s been known to play out on the flank as well, so think of a striker with the tendencies of a wide man.
“He’s not prolific, but he is an all-rounder. He’s strong, has a bit of pace and can hold the ball up as well as run the channels.
“Perhaps it might be fair to say a jack-of-all-trades, but a master of none.”
What knock-on effects does this have for Pompey?
“It’s going to be interesting to see where he plays for them. Obviously, he’ll go up front, but if Kenny Jackett sticks with his 4-2-3-1 then he could operate in one of two roles.
“He might be the main striker, playing the same position as Ollie Hawkins and Brett Pitman. It could spell the end for one, or both of those players. Hawkins might be the one feeling most pushed out, he was in and out of the side last campaign.
“Harrison might sit in the middle of the three too. He’s got the instinct to overlap and run the channels, making him a versatile addition to the side. Whether he can nail down a solid starting place is another thing entirely.”
Can he be the man to lead their line?
“No, not in my opinion.
“That formation means that a bigger man is needed really, one to win flick-ons as well as hold the ball up. Hawkins is the sort of player who can do it, but at 5ft 11in I can’t see Harrison getting much joy against central defenders three or four inches taller.
“I think he’s going to be a squad player, little more.”