Striker prepared to work hard for his first team chance
Pompey fans have been offered just a glimpse of Ryan Bird so far this season.
The striker – a summer signing from non-league Burnham – has made cameo appearances from the bench at Bournemouth and Accrington.
The 25-year-old is hoping to expand on that when the Blues visit Mansfield on Saturday.
But Bird knows that the form of Pompey’s forwards will make it difficult to break into the side.
He said: “I can’t complain. David Connolly and Patrick Agyemang are scoring in every game and have played at the highest level.
“Every time I get the chance, I’ll watch them in training to see their touch and their movement. I can learn a lot from them.
“Hopefully, as the season goes on, I’ll get more minutes out on the pitch.
“It’s quite difficult to get into the game when you come on late, but you can buzz around the pitch because you’ve got more energy than anyone else.
“You have to work as hard as you can – especially at Fratton Park where the fans really get behind you.
“I work on my finishing every day after training so I can keep my sharpness and there have been a couple of development squad games.
“I need to stay as sharp as I can, so I can do a job whenever I’m called upon.”
Bird grabbed 45 goals for Burnham last season, but knows it will be more difficult to score in League Two.
He said: “Last season opposition defenders would just try to kick me all game, but they know what they’re doing at this level.
“Goalkeepers are a lot better as well, so your shots have to be more accurate and more powerful.
“It’s a big step up for me coming to Pompey, but I’m hopeful it’s one that will work out.”
The Blues beat Morecambe last week and will be looking to make it back-to-back victories at Mansfield.
Bird said: “The start of the season wasn’t great, but we’ve progressed since then and got a quality win last Saturday.
“It’s going to be a tough game against Mansfield. We watched a video of them and they’re a strong, physical side.
“But I think we’ve got the quality to be able to out-class them and come away with three points.”