Drinks breaks don’t come around easily if you’re a Portsmouth player
Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley rejected the chance for his players to have a drinks break during a pre-season friendly on Wednesday as he felt they ‘hadn’t run about enough’.
Cowley took his side to Bognor Regis as part of their preparations for the upcoming League One campaign, which begins next weekend.
Cowley left shocked at referee’s offer to have a drinks break
Given the beyond-ridiculous temperatures the last couple of days, plenty of games have incorporated drinks breaks to allow players to rehydrate during and stay safe.
But when offered the opportunity to do the same 30 minutes into their friendly against Bognor on Wednesday, Cowley was left shocked and refused the break.
A tweet from the non-league side’s account confirmed Cowley’s refusal, with the account confirming he said: “They’ve got to get fit — let them run about first!”
Referee Alex Bradley offers teams a drinks break but @Pompey boss Danny Cowley tells him from the touch line: “They’ve got to get fit — let them run about first!”
— Bognor Regis Town FC (@rocks1883) July 20, 2022
The game finished 1-1 in the end after Harry Jewitt-White cancelled out Nick Dembele’s first-half opener for the hosts as Portsmouth now turn their attention to their final two pre-season fixtures against Coventry City and Barnet before the start of the campaign.
Full time
Bognor Regis Town FC 1-1 Portsmouth pic.twitter.com/aTWlrMnOdG
— Bognor Regis Town FC (@rocks1883) July 20, 2022
Cowley’s side one of the favourites for promotion
Portsmouth will be considered as one of the favourites for promotion to the second-tier this year, with pressure on Cowley to deliver after missing out on the play-offs by 10 points last season.
After starting the season strongly, a poor run of form in 2022 saw their promotion hopes fade away as they had to contend with a top-half finish.
The club have also reportedly won the race to sign Colby bishop after agreeing a deal with Accrington Stanley, beating Championship side Blackpool to his signature.
Bishop scored 14 goals in all competitions for John Coleman’s side in League One last during the 2021/22 campaign.
Related links:
- Four players sent off in first half as Wolves pre-season friendly descends into chaos
- Erik ten Hag unleashes sweary rant at David De Gea during pre-season friendly
- Harry Maguire booed by Man United fans during pre-season friendly
