Pompey 1 Blackburn 2: what we learnt

Chaplin repays his boss’ faith

After netting the match-winner against MK Dons, Conor Chaplin was rewarded with his first League One start since Boxing Day against Rovers.

The academy product was selected to partner Brett Pitman in attack and his performance was everything his manager would have been looking for.

He was intelligent, industrious and robust, while he cropped up in the right place to calmly nod home an equaliser.

After the game, Kenny Jackett described how Chaplin has come of age and looks ready to become a regular.

Pompey finally could have found their solution to their problem number 10 role.

Chaplin displayed all of his attributes against Tony Mowbray’s side and proved he’s capable of performing from the outset.

Pitman’s torrid time

There wouldn’t have been many who’d have predicted Brett Pitman would be enduring such a torrid time in front of goal a couple of months ago.

The former Ipswich forward has now netted just one goal in his past 12 League One appearances from open play.

Pitman had a couple of decent opportunities against Blackburn, but lacked his usual composure in the final third.

His best chance came just a minute after Chaplin’s equaliser.

With an open goal at his mercy following a mix-up between David Raya and Ryan Nyambe, Pitman’s radar was off and he failed to hit the target.

Nevertheless, there’s no doubt the 30-year-old is one of the division’s best marksmen.

Despite his lack of goals, he’s still League One’s second highest scorer and you’d expect him to rediscover his goal touch sooner rather than later.

Encouraging display despite result

Pompey’s wretched form against the top six continues. Defeat to Blackburn meant they’ve now picked up just two points from a possible 30 on offer.

Nevertheless, the Blues rightly felt hard done.

They more than matched their high-flying opponents and should have picked up a point, but rued a number of missed chances in both halves.

If Pompey perform like they did against Rovers and improve in the finishing department then they look capable of picking up points.