Portsmouth defender Ryley Towler has spoken to The Portsmouth News, discussing what he feels were the 30 minutes that led to his exile from the South Coast club’s first team for a run of time.
Towler was dropped from the side for a run of five games, after a halftime substitution in what many called a torrid first half where he was tormented by Port Vale forward Ellis Harrison.
As well as this, the 20-year-old was omitted from manager John Mousinho’s side for two games, giving the young defender time to contemplate.
Towler’s season
Towler joined in January from Championship side Bristol City, spending the first half of this season on loan with League Two side AFC Wimbledon, before making a permanent switch to Fratton Park.
After being restored to the side against Accrington Stanley before the penultimate fixture, Towler helped the side in a 1-1 draw with promotion hopefuls Derby County, helping the side to four points in two games. With a crowd of over 30 thousand present, Saturday’s trip to Pride Park brought another landmark to the centre-back’s career as it marked the biggest crowd he had played in front of in his 40-match career.
Making 19 appearances this season, the exciting young defender has scored two goals for Pompey this season and has been key to the second-half form that put the club in contention for the play-off places.
Port Vale visit
The Port Vale fixture is one Towler will not want to remember and will be on the memory of fans and players alike at the end of this season.
The defender was substituted at half-time, after spending 30 minutes being tormented by ex-Portsmouth forward Ellis Harrison as Matt Taylor and Funso Ojo gave the visitors the lead into the break.
Following this fixture, Towler would be absent from the squad for the next five fixtures, ending a run of 15 games in the first team.
His absence was questioned by many fans, who he had built an instant rapport with since his arrival in January, but he is now back in the first-team picture, partnering Manchester United loanee Di’Shon Bernard.
What’s been said?
Talking to The Portsmouth News, the youngster discussed his performance against Harrison as well as the lessons he has learnt since.
“That’s the first time I’ve played against Ellis Harrison and it was tough.”
“I did 45 minutes, they weren’t the best 45 minutes, and I came out. Our other central defenders are quality players and took their chance, so you’re just got to be ready to come back in and try to play well.”
“I’m still learning my trade and I’m still only young. It was actually 30 minutes and you can’t let those 30 minutes affect you.”
“You’re going to be in and out of the team, you have got to keep working hard and to try getting back in, that’s how football is.”
Writers View
Towler is a young defender with a bright future ahead of him and it is clear he values his experiences learning at Portsmouth as displayed by his comments.
Not only that, he appears to have a very mature understanding of football at a senior level for a player at such a young age.
One thing is for certain, the ceiling is very high for a player such as Towler and his partnership with Bernard is certainly reason for fans to be excited.
Towler has been brilliant at Pompey but, unless Bernard is going to join permanently, there is no point in playing them together. In fact no loanee should play in our last game unless they are to be signed permanently (hopefully Macey will be the one we sign).
Towler is our best acquisition for a long time.