CHERRIES assistant boss Jason Tindall believes Kenny Jackett has chosen wisely by appointing Brett Pitman as Portsmouth captain.

Tindall briefly played alongside Pitman and then managed him with Eddie Howe during Cherries’ meteoric rise to the Premier League.

The Jersey-born striker, who last week joined Pompey from Ipswich, played a pivotal role in Cherries’ rapid climb to the top flight.

Pitman spent two fruitful spells at Dean Court and led the goal charts as they won promotion to League One in 2010 and to the Championship in 2013.

A product of the club’s youth ranks, he also netted 13 times as Cherries won an historic first promotion to the Premier League in 2015.

Pitman scored the first goal of the Howe era – in a 3-1 win over Wycombe in January 2009 – and went on to win the golden boot in the club’s memorable Greatest Escape campaign.

His 96 goals make him the club’s fourth all-time leading league marksmen, while he is also 14th in the list of Cherries’ record appearance-makers.

Pitman is in line to skipper Pompey against Cherries when the clubs meet in a pre-season friendly at Fratton Park today (3pm).

Tindall told the Daily Echo: “I don’t think anyone could ever knock what Brett did for this football club.

“He was a great servant and played a key role in our early successes. His goals helped get us to where we are today.

“If you give him half a chance in the box, nine times out of 10, the ball will end up in the back of the net, as every Bournemouth fan knows well.

“He is a great lad and a great character and I can see why he has been given the captain’s armband. He leads by example, both on and off the pitch.

“He is vocal and not afraid to tell people if they are not delivering what they are supposed to.

“He wants the best for his team and, if someone isn’t pulling their weight, he will certainly tell them.

“He is a great signing for Portsmouth and will certainly score goals, there is no doubt about that.

“I think he will soon become a fans’ favourite, as he was when he was here with us.”