Shrewsbury Town's Luke Hendrie hopes to silence Pompey Chimes
Luke Hendrie wants to be a winner at Fratton Park for the second time this season when he heads to Portsmouth with Shrewsbury tomorrow afternoon.
The Town new-boy, who enjoyed an impressive debut for the club in last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Doncaster Rovers, has already been to Pompey’s famous old home this season, writes Stuart Dunn.
He was an unused substitute during a spell on loan with Bradford City when the Yorkshire club won 1-0 on the south coast at the end of October.
A late goal from Matt Kilgallon secured maximum points that day for the visitors in front of a crowd of more than 18,000.
Now Hendrie hopes to play his part in silencing the Pompey Chimes once again.
He said: “I’ve already been down there with Bradford and it was a good atmosphere, a smash and grab down there, so hopefully we can pick up the same.
“It’s obviously a good place to play, always guaranteed a good atmosphere, and we’ll go there and try and win the game.”
Hendrie will be raring to go after being cup-tied for Tuesday night’s Checkatrade Trophy tie against Oldham Athletic. The 23-year-old caught the eye at right-back on his first appearance in blue and amber last weekend following his arrival on an 18-month deal from Premier League Burnley earlier this month.
His parents and girlfriend were in the Montgomery Waters Meadow crowd to support him against Doncaster.
Dad John enjoyed a successful career as a winger, the Scot playing for the likes of Bradford, Newcastle, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Barnsley, and he’s always available to offer advice.
“He’s obviously looking out for me and how I do,” said Hendrie. “His support is massive and a big part of my career so far.”
Father and son spoke ahead of Hendrie deciding to leave Turf Moor to make Shrewsbury the next club of a career which saw the Town new-boy spend most of last season on loan to Kilmarnock, clocking up 33 appearances for the Scottish Premier League club.
“Ultimately, all the decisions come down to me, but obviously it’s perfect having someone close to you who’s been there, done it and worn the T-shirt,” said Hendrie.
“He just said to me ‘just go where you feel wanted’ and that’s definitely what’s happened.”
Town will be looking to bounce back after slipping out of the top two last weekend when the draw with Doncaster allowed Blackburn to leapfrog them.
Winger Alex Rodman is another who has tasted success at Fratton Park and he admits letting a two-goal lead slip away was unlike Town.
“I’ve played there before,” added Rodman, who came off the bench to bag the winner in the Checkatrade Trophy tie with Oldham on Tuesday.
“I won there with Newport a few years ago. It’s a really great ground, a lot of history there.
“It will probably be packed and hopefully we can go there and put on a performance and show people what we’re about and get back to what we’re about.
“I thought we played well first half against Doncaster and it was unlike us in the second half, so hopefully we can do that for 90 minutes and put on a show and hopefully repeat the three points we took off them here.”
