Barker hopes Blues injury problems will improve
Friday, 14th Feb 2014 13:45 by pompey-fans.com staff

Richie Barker sends Pompey into battle with AFC Wimbledon on Saturday dreaming of the day he can have a settled site.

Injuries have disrupted the squad badly since Barker arrived and he is in no doubt a more settled line-up could achieve more consistency in results.

The Blues are desperate for the points when the Dons come to town but Barker could be without another key man in this one - centre-half Joe Devera is struggling with a knee injury.

Barker told The News: ‘It’s not ideal having to keep changing the team but that’s what we have a squad for. I would prefer a settled one but, understandably, at this time of year people are going to pick up knocks and injuries.

‘We saw that with Joe last week and there is nothing you can do about that. Injuries change the teams you are going to name. You just have to try to deal with it as best as you can and juggle your squad. Also, some players don’t deserve to keep their place, so you keep changing it.

‘When I came in I wanted to give every player a chance and have a look at them in matches, so there were a lot of changes in those first few weeks. You only have to look at our back five to see it has been fairly settled and we have bore the fruits of that.

‘Defensively, we have tightened up and picked up clean sheets, which is the result of establishing partnerships and keeping familiarity. At Bury and Crawley I operated with smaller squads and smaller numbers but more quality — and the sides were settled more than not. That is what I would like to do here, if at all possible.’

What is Pompey's problem on the pitch? Inconsistency? A squad that's simply not good enough? Complacency? Or something else? Discuss it on the forum.