Coventry v Pompey: Gaffer for a day

Harry
Carl Baker Picture: Joe PeplerCarl Baker Picture: Joe Pepler
Carl Baker Picture: Joe Pepler

Haskett,

aged 21,

from Paulsgrove

Paul Cook will rotate his team for tonight’s match at Coventry City and I’d really like to see Gareth Evans make a return.

He was very underrated last season and remains a player who pops up with goals and is as fast as anything without the ball.

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A return of 10 goals from midfield is decent from somebody not always getting the praise, with the spotlight often on Kyle Bennett and Gary Roberts.

Bennett is another who must start tonight, although I don’t think will come into the league team just yet – he will be rotated with Milan Lalkovic.

Of the team that drew against Carlisle, Carl Baker must keep his place to ensure there is momentum.

He was brilliant pre-season in the three matches I saw him play.

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Gary Roberts has also had a very good pre-season and we will see a lot more of him this year in terms of ability, but I would rest him tonight.

Some people would say the Carlisle game was same old Pompey but we are a lot more threatening than last year. Creating won’t be a problem, it’s just putting the goals away.

It is only a matter of time before opponents start losing at Fratton Park.

There won’t be eight League Two opponents leaving with clean sheets.

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Obviously, tonight is the EFL Cup and promotion is our priority, but I would like for us to still give it a go.

The Ricoh Arena is a good stadium and big pitch, which I think would really suit us. The least we can do is put in a decent performance.

I definitely think we can win. Coventry are not going to sit back – why would you even want to in a cup competition – so it will be an open game.

We tend to do well against higher opponents and I’m going for a 2-1 victory.

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