Pompey hero got deserved credit from Fratton faithful

Danny Rose, right, shares a joke with his team-mates after the victory over Plymouth. Picture: Joe Pepler

• It proved to be a game of fine margins didn’t it?

It was a great way for us to win it. You look at our goal and think how many times something like that has happened against us and gone the other way and we’ve not been able to find a way back into the game.

I think you could put Remi Matthews’ mistake down to tactics. Yann Songo’o looked like he never wanted the ball at any point. He never looked comfortable – none of their defence did really.

Brandon Haunstrup was another player who impressed our gaffer, while Plymouth's Yann Songo'o did not. Picture: Joe Pepler

That’s because our front four were pressing them so much from the very start. It was great to watch because a lot of teams have done that to us this season.

• Where you surprised Kal Naismith spearheaded Pompey’s attack?

I thought it was a good shout. Although Conor Chaplin is an out-and-out striker, he is able to play in the number 10 role.

Naismith is always going to be more of a target man. If we wanted to play balls over the top when we needed to then he was the better option. It was the little-and-large partnership and Naismith won everything in the air.

• What did you make of the atmosphere?

It was better than it has been for some time this season – at times, it has been a bit flat.

It seemed to be more of a friendly atmosphere, there wasn’t so much anger but instead a bit of friendly banter. It was almost toxic last season but on Saturday it was more friendly.

• Looking at your match ratings, Danny Rose stood out for you?

Danny Rose was fantastic and has picked up from where he left off last season. He really is an unsung hero for Pompey.

We’ve had the song for him since the start of last season but of all the players’ songs, it’s the one you don’t hear so much. It was really good the crowd were acknowledging him.

• And Brandon Haunstrup has came in kept Graham Carey at bay?

He did absolutely fantastic in the left-back role. Of him, Ben Close and Adam May, I tipped the latter two to come through this season – I never really thought much of Haunstrup.

But he really impressed me on Saturday. He was strong, won everything and put in couple of great challenges – that’s what you want from your left-back.

• Tommi’s ratings: Luke McGee 7; Nathan Thompson 8; Oli Hawkins 8; Matt Clarke 8; Brandon Haunstrup 8; Ben Close 7; Danny Rose 9; Gareth Evans 7; Conor Chaplin 7; Jamal Lowe 8; Kal Naismith 8