'Like Michael Doyle, Tom Naylor is a leader of men - and proper Portsmouth captain'

The 29-year-old is rightfully earning plaudits at present following five goals in seven appearances during a shock streak.

However, there is also none more respected among the Blues’ dressing room than the former players’ player of the year.

The long-serving Jack Whatmough has been established in Pompey’s squad since his first-team entrance in November 2013.

His immense regard for Naylor as a captain and person is undisguised. Particularly when mentioning him in the same breath as Michael Doyle.

Whatmough told The News: ‘You always follow your captains, they lead by example, which Nayls always does.

‘He’s some leader and is in some form at the moment. He has led this team from minute one since becoming captain.

‘Nayls is massively respected, you know what you are going to get from him week in, week out, he fully deserves to be captain of this football club.

‘You look at our celebration for his goal against Peterborough. Some of it was caused by shock because he’s getting goals, some of it is because the person he is.

‘I have played with a lot of players at this club. He is probably one of the best people as a person, not just as a footballer, that I have come across.

‘In terms of how he is, on a day-to-day basis, he’s never down, he’s there if you need speak to him, a proper captain. Like Michael Doyle.

‘Nayls can play higher, I think he has proven that by playing in the Championship previously.

‘Hopefully the contract situations can all get sorted and he can stay.’

Naylor had featured in the Championship with Burton for two seasons before his switch to Fratton Park in the summer of 2018.

During that period, he made 66 league appearances and scored six goals to comfortably convince at that level.

Now, through his performances, leadership and goals, he’s trying to drive Pompey to return to such surroundings.

Whatmough added: ‘He will pull one out of the bag in training, so I’m not really surprised.

‘Nayls is in some form, he’s playing unbelievably well. His goals at King’s Lynn and Peterborough show what he is capable of.

‘Do you what, he makes defenders’ roles so easy, he really does. It’s his positional play, his reading of the games, he’s excellent.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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