Leaving Portsmouth for Cobblers was ‘breath of fresh air’ for Holmes

Ricky Homes has made a great start to his Cobblers career after signing from Portsmouth

Holmes plays against Pompey for the first time this week since leaving them for Northampton in the January transfer window, a move which he feels has revitalised his career.

The winger was the player of the year at Fratton Park last season and admitted to a frustration over a lack of first-team opportunities before making the switch north but wants to put that all behind him ahead of Tuesday’s game between the sides.

“I’m looking forward to tonight, it is against all my mates, people I have made a good bond with over 18 months,” Holmes told the Portsmouth News. “But I have nothing to prove.

“I have already proven I am still capable of playing at this level, since I have been here I have been made player of the month and the club has been doing well.

“We have won seven out of the last 10, only losing once, and I’ve been involved in a lot of goals after being given the freedom to play in the final third as a four.

“I had my injuries at Pompey at the start of the campaign and missed a chunk of pre-season, which was a massive part of getting fit.

“I held my hands up in The News before and I’ll say it again, I wasn’t fully fit and as a result did not do myself justice. No doubt about that.

“Playing on with a bit of an injury is something I regret, I should have taken longer to recover like some people do.

“When I did start to get fit I thought I was doing well, but the gaffer wanted to go in a different way. It is a matter of opinions.

“That’s football, it happens, I do not hold any grudges, I am happy and it has worked out for the best.

Holmes has been excellent since becoming a Cobbler and has flourished as part of a three-man in attack behind a central striker, playing a key part in their run of seven wins in nine games.

He feels the transfer was vital to getting his career back on track after a spell out of the first-team picture at Pompey.

“I have two years left on my Northampton contract after this season, there is a bit of security for me now and I thank them for that,” he said.

“I didn’t speak to the manager when I left, there were no words for me to say, but I am sure we will clear the air before tonight’s game.

“I am not going to hold a grudge against him and wish Pompey, which is a fantastic club, all the best.’

“Moving to Northampton has been a breath of fresh air for me. It is nice to be told to go out and play with freedom, the manager believes in me and that trust shows on the pitch.

“Sometimes you need that.”