Conor Chaplin to get Barnet start

Conor Chaplin is to be handed a Pompey start as Paul Cook focuses on defeating Barnet.
Conor Chaplin. Picture: Joe PeplerConor Chaplin. Picture: Joe Pepler
Conor Chaplin. Picture: Joe Pepler

The 18-year-old has been in impressive early season form, bright displays which have produced goals against Derby and Reading in the Capital One Cup.

Now he will start a League Two match for the first time this campaign in Saturday’s visit of Martin Allen’s side.

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Cook was keeping his cards close to his chest of the identity of players making way to accommodate the youngster.

However, he confirmed Chaplin would definitely be in his Fratton Park line-up.

He said: ‘Conor will start Saturday without a shadow of a doubt, he has been waiting for his chance, he will be one of the ones coming in.

‘We will freshen it up. I can tell our supporters that if games become stale we will change our formation, without a shadow of a doubt. We must have more of an effect on the game than we did against Accrington.

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‘To be fair, you couldn’t speak highly enough of our players as a group at the minute, the patience they have shown is remarkable. All you want as a player is an opportunity.

‘Saturday was the first time we looked a little bit stale in my opinion. I am a loyal manager, I will not make drastic changes ever because players will not play well every week, it is impossible. Even the best players don’t play well every week.

‘I also think it is good to make changes sometimes when lads are playing really well, freshening it up that way.’