Paul Downing: Fellow Portsmouth new-boy Ellis Harrison is a handful and will hopefully fires us into Championship
The pair both completed moves to Fratton Park on the same day last month.
Harrison joined the Blues for around £450,000 from Ipswich Town, while Downing arrived on a free transfer following his release from Blackburn Rovers shortly afterwards.
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Hide AdWhen Harrison was at Bristol Rovers, Downing used to be tasked with marking the striker when representing both MK Dons and Blackburn.
Now they’ll share a dressing room at PO4 – something the centre-back is extremely grateful for.
Downing feels the signing of Harrison is a smart piece of business from boss Kenny Jackett.
The Welshman proved himself at third-tier level with the Gas.
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Hide AdNow Downing believes Harrison can display his prowess in front of goal during next season’s Championship charge.
He said: ‘I’ve played against Ellis a couple of times when he was at Bristol Rovers and I know what a good player he is.
‘He is a handful and I’m delighted that we are now on the same team.
‘I think that it’s a really good signing for the football club.
‘Ellis is proven at this level and that’s what we need.
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Hide Ad‘Hopefully he can fire the goals in because the most important thing in football is scoring goals.
‘Hopefully he can hit the ground running and fire us to promotion – that would be ideal.’
Harrison will add pace to Jackett’s striking options – something Pompey lacked last campaign.
But Downing insists the Newport-born forward’s game is more than just speed.
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Hide AdAnd that will allow Harrison to adapt his game if he’s required to.
The defender added: ‘Ellis has got all-round attributes to his game.
‘If we need to mix it up and play a different way then he can do everything.
‘That’s what you want from a number nine.
‘I’m sure there were other clubs who were after him and for us to get him is a credit to everyone who managed to achieve that.’
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