x

Pompey changes won't be wholesale

Paul Cook will make changes as Pompey bid for their first home win in three against Barnet - but there won't be many of them.

Conor Chaplin will play as the Blues look to put behind them the frustration of last Saturday's stalemate with Accrington.

Other changes are not known but Cook says it doesn't hurt to freshen up the side.

Barnet, under former Pompey midfielder Martin Allen, have had a tough start in League Two after promotion as Conference winners, but 'Mad Dog' will have them fired up to cause Pompey problems.

Cook told the Pompey website: 'The fans appreciate that you’re not some kind of magician that’s going to get every decision right. There will be some changes in the team for Saturday — but that’s not a slight on anyone who’s been playing.

'Conor will start without a shadow of a doubt. He has been waiting for his chance and will be one of the ones coming in. We were quite lacklustre against Accrington, but if your flair players don’t play well then it’s quite likely that your team won’t play well.

'I will not make drastic changes because players will not play well every week — that’s impossible.

"We’ve covered all bases in training because we know it’s going to be a tough test on Saturday. You receive a different challenge every week and our job is to give those lads belief as they go out to play.”

Pompey are waiting to see if keeper Brian Murphy will be fit to face the Bees. He came off at half-time after picking up a groin injury against Stanley. Paul Jones stands by. But that appears to be Cook's only injury worry.

Barnet are set to field ex-Pompey duo Bondz N'Gala and John Akinde as they face the Blues in a league game for the first time.

Their boss Allen has been quick to point out this game is something of a battle of the haves and have-nots, describing Pompey as the Man City or Chelsea of League Two.

Advertisement

Click here to sign up for an account and reserve your username! You can then post on the Forum and add your comments to articles

What to read next:

Lincoln City 0 - 2 Portsmouth - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
No Pompey parade - but Southsea Common will see plenty of celebration
Pompey have had some memorable celebrations on Southsea Common since the turn of the century - and more such memories will be made on Sunday afternoon.
Portsmouth 1 - 2 Wigan Athletic - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Pompey have new heroes in 2024 - and it takes me back to 1983, 2012 and many points in between
Sometimes I think about something I want to write about, get straight to it and end up rambling on for about 2,000 words. But this is different. I want to write 2,000 words about the League One champions and don’t know where or how to start.
Portsmouth 3 - 2 Barnsley - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Bolton Wanderers 1 - 1 Portsmouth - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Right Pompey approach can bring rewards at Bolton
It could be the under-statement of the season - Bolton v Pompey described as being as 'interesting contest'.
Our feet are still on ground: Pompey goal hero takes it a game at a time
Owen Moxon insists it's still 'feet on ground' time for Pompey as they try to edge closer to promotion when they host Shrewsbury on Saturday.
He's been exceptional - Kamara wins high praise for inspiring Pompey win at Wycombe
Jon Harley was quick to heap praise on Abu Kamara after the winger produced another top-class display to inspire Pompey to an Easter treat of a victory at Wycombe Wanderers.
Pompey chief on the moves that should protect English football and its clubs
Pompey's chief executive believes the new Football Governance Bill will help make the game more sustainable - and protect clubs from rogue owners.