Chaplin: I never refused to play for Portsmouth

Conor Chaplin is adamant he never refused to play for Pompey.
Conor Chaplin said goodbye to the club last month as he moved to Coventry City. Picture: Joe PeplerConor Chaplin said goodbye to the club last month as he moved to Coventry City. Picture: Joe Pepler
Conor Chaplin said goodbye to the club last month as he moved to Coventry City. Picture: Joe Pepler

The striker has delivered his side of the story over his absence from the trip to Doncaster last month.

Chaplin didn't feature in the squad as the summer-long talk over his Coventry move gathered pace ahead of the close of the loan window.

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He was forceful in stating he'd never turn down a request to play.

Conor Chaplin said goodbye to the club last month as he moved to Coventry City. Picture: Joe PeplerConor Chaplin said goodbye to the club last month as he moved to Coventry City. Picture: Joe Pepler
Conor Chaplin said goodbye to the club last month as he moved to Coventry City. Picture: Joe Pepler

Chaplin said: '˜I wouldn't have refused to play - and never did. The gaffer knew that as well.

'˜This is the club I support and I have been there God knows how long. I'd never refuse to play.

'˜I had a conversation with the gaffer on the Thursday before the game, knowing in the back of my head this was happening with Coventry.

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'˜I didn't want to be in a position where I was feeling like I was letting the boys down.

'˜If I was to go on the pitch I wouldn't have been in the right frame of mind to try my best.

'˜I didn't want to be in a Portsmouth shirt and not be in the right frame of mind.

'˜I didn't want that to happen so I took myself out of the situation.'

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Kenny Jackett spoke after the Doncaster game stating Chaplin '˜didn't feel he was in the right frame of mind' to play.

The 21-year-old explained that followed a Thursday afternoon discussion at the club's training ground.

Chaplin added: '˜The gaffer even said to me he was going to be asked if I'd refused to play. I told him I'm not refusing to play.

'˜I said if he wanted me to come up and be on the bench I'd happily do that - but we made the decision it was best not to.'

Look out for more from Chaplin as he lifts the lid on a lifetime at Pompey at portsmouth.co.uk