Goalscorer happy with winning start
Results in pre-season are not always a barometer for success in competitive matches.
But Milan Lalkovic was still happy to get the summer off to a winning start at Salisbury on Saturday.
He scored the opening goal in a 3-0 victory in Wiltshire, with fellow substitutes Tom Davies and Ben Close also on target.
And Lalkovic admits it was a tiring experience, with the Blues having only just returned to training.
The Slovakian winger said: “We’d only been back for two days, so it’s a bit earlier than I’m used to.
“But I always like playing more than training and it was good that all of the boys were able to get 45 minutes.
“It was a good work-out and we won the game – last year we only drew here – so that’s always a positive thing.
"I enjoyed myself and it’s nice to score a goal."
“I was really tired out there, but it’s always easier going forward than when you have to run back and cover.
“But I enjoyed myself and it’s nice to score a goal. At first I thought the keeper was going to smash me, but he started to go back so I just slotted it in.”
Lalkovic spent the second half of last season on loan at Scottish side Ross County and is keen to make an impression back at Pompey.
He said: “We have a new manager here, so everything is open. I just have to work hard, get fit and then see what happens.
“You always have to do your best, keep improving and be ready to take your opportunities, otherwise someone else will.”