Close: New Pompey skipper's an inspiration

Matt Clarke possesses the captaincy credentials to inspire Kenny Jackett's youthful Pompey.
Matt Clarke Picture: Joe PeplerMatt Clarke Picture: Joe Pepler
Matt Clarke Picture: Joe Pepler

That is the verdict of Ben Close, who is convinced the Blues’ new stand-in skipper is tailor-made for the role.

Clarke was handed the armband at Fleetwood, despite aged just 21 years, four months and 30 days.

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With Brett Pitman and Gareth Evans injured, and Nathan Thompson suspended, Kenny Jackett elected the defender to lead his side.

It resulted in a 2-1 triumph at Highbury Stadium for a team with an average age of 22.5 years.

Clarke will retain the honour for tomorrow’s visit of Blackpool.

And two-time captain Close is convinced his Blues team-mate is the ideal man for the current job.

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He said: ‘Matt is a player we look up to and definitely deserves the captain’s armband.

‘He has been excellent this season, he leads on the pitch by the way he plays and has been crucial for us this season.

‘I don’t think his age matters. He doesn’t shrink under pressure, he has been an immense performer for us and at the heart of everything.

‘Once you get to know Matt he’s not so quiet, he’s a funny guy.

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‘On the pitch he’s not a real shouter or someone who is going to truly motivate players, but he does give important instructions and talks to the midfielders in front of him.

‘A captain can lead in different ways – and his is from the way he plays.

‘I had six starts alongside Michael Doyle in Paul Cook’s first year and he was very different, more a motivator, a shouter and a moaner.

‘It was a different way to lead, which was a success.

‘Brett (Pitman) is in the middle. He doesn’t shout as much as Doyler, although does when he’s unhappy and feels something must be said.

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‘What he also does on the pitch is score goals – and important goals, too.

‘But players who aren’t so loud on the pitch can also be successful.

‘They really can be inspirational through the way they perform, getting everyone around looking up to them.’

Close was aged 19 years, one month and 22 days when he skippered Pompey in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Exeter in September 2015.

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He also earnt the honour in a Checkatrade Trophy 1-0 win over Bristol Rovers in November 2016 – at 20 years, three months and one day.

The Southsea youngster added: ‘I haven’t captained Pompey yet in the league, so it’s not quite as impressive.

‘But that was a great moment for me and a very proud one, so I would imagine Matt felt the same way on Tuesday.

‘Those sort of games will get forgotten about, but I won’t forget it.

‘Hopefully that will come to me one day for a league match, but at this point it is Matt – and fully deserved.’