New boy happy to be Blues' utility man

Danny East told Pompey: I'll be your Mr Versatile.
Danny East gets his first taste of action for Pompey against the Hawks on Tuesday night  Picture: Ian HargreavesDanny East gets his first taste of action for Pompey against the Hawks on Tuesday night  Picture: Ian Hargreaves
Danny East gets his first taste of action for Pompey against the Hawks on Tuesday night Picture: Ian Hargreaves

The Blues’ new recruit promised Guy Whittingham he is happy to be used wherever he can to help his new side bounce out of League Two at the first attempt.

But East admits he doesn’t want that flexibility to be a barrier to nailing down a starting place at Pompey.

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The 21-year-old has carved out a reputation for being a utility player in his career to date.

East has been used in a number of roles, including the right side of midfield, middle of the park and both full-back roles.

The former Hull man has operated predominantly as a right-back, however, which was the position he played for 45 minutes in Tuesday’s 5-0 win over Hawks.

That was the role he almost exclusively operated in on a loan stay at Northampton last season.

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East is happy to play wherever he can to help his new manager now – but regular minutes are the ambition at Fratton Park.

He said: ‘I’m more than happy to do a job at right-back. I’ve played most of my first-team games at right-back.

‘I’ve played in quite a few positions now – I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. I hope it’s a good thing!

‘I’ve been all over the pitch, really, but I enjoy that and I’m more than happy to play wherever required.

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‘Of course I’ll do that for the team but I want to be playing games and starting games.

‘That’s what I want to push for. I’ll push to play in a position. If it doesn’t happen I’ll play somewhere else.

‘I don’t care where I am – if I’m in the side.’

East will hope to follow up his first experience of donning the Pompey shirt against the Hawks with more minutes against Bognor today.

He enjoyed getting playing time under his belt at Westleigh Park in front of Blues supporters.

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East has now settled into his new house in Waterlooville after moving south. And he can’t wait to embrace Pompey – and the club’s followers.

East said: ‘The fans are great. They were singing 20 minutes after the game the other night.

‘I do like to be involved with the fans and I do get on Twitter with them.

‘It’s something I’ve always done and I already appreciate the fans here. They are crazy and I love them.

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‘They were a big factor in me being here, especially when I hear there were 18,500 fans for the last home game with the side relegated.

‘It’s a no-brainer to move here. The following of this club is massive. It’s a massive club and a big chance.

‘We are the bookies’ favourites (for promotion) but I don’t think we’ll take too much notice of that because if that’s our attitude we won’t win it.

‘We want to win it and we showed against the Hawks we have some decent players. But we have to show that we’re ready to work for it.’