Pompey skipper: Kyle Bennett has talent to play higher

The 25-year-old inspired Pompey to a crushing 4-0 success over Notts County yesterday.

Both the opening goals were netted by the enigmatic winger, who once again demonstrated his devastating ability.

Christian Burgess and substitute Marc McNulty both netted in the final nine minutes to complete the crushing scoreline.

Yet it was Bennett who was Paul Cook’s outstanding performer, taking his season’s tally to six goals.

And Blues skipper Doyle believes his team-mate has the potential to set his heights higher up the leagues.

He said: ‘Everybody knows what Kyle can do and what he has got, you just want to see more of that from him.

‘Sometimes we probably put a bit too much pressure on him but we know the talent and ability he has got.

‘You saw it there once more against Notts County, that first goal came out of nothing, I was standing back watching thinking “that is just him”.

‘If Kyle gets that consistency in his game he will be playing at a higher level because he certainly has the ability.

‘It’s just that consistency of doing it week in, week out.

‘There have been so many times this season when you see that, his ability is second to none.

‘For the second goal the link-up play was great, Gary Roberts is such a clever player and to get the ball through the angle with back to goal was brilliant.

‘Kyle was one-on-one with the keeper with a long way to go and it was a great finish.

‘We all felt the relief at that point.’

Despite Pompey’s handsome victory, they remain five points adrift of the automatic promotion spots.

Of the five sides ahead, only Oxford United yesterday failed to win – drawing 1-1 at home to Stevenage.

Regardless, Cook’s men need to build on yesterday’s triumph at AFC Wimbledon on Monday (12.45pm).

And with eight matches remaining, Doyle is refusing to give up hope they can find a way into League Two’s top three.

He added: ‘Like us all, Kyle is new to the club and at times this year, as a team it has been frustrating.

‘We want to be a lot better off than we are but we’re not.

‘At times we have to take a reality check and rein ourselves in.

‘We have just only come together, look at Northampton and Oxford, who have been together for a couple of years.

‘Hopefully we can put that run together at the right time.

‘There are a lot of expectations here and I am not backing down from it.

‘We wanted to win the league and we are probably not going to do that – but there is still a very good chance we can get promoted.’