Pompey v Crewe: Gaffer for a day

aged 48,

from

Waterlooville

Crewe are struggling and in the week lost 4-0 at Hartlepool, so don’t expect them to be attack-minded tomorrow.

It’s a fair assumption they will visit Fratton Park with a defensive game plan and seeking a goalless draw.

So, with that in mind, I believe Pompey can field an extra attack-minded player without losing their solidity.

In that case, I would name Conor Chaplin in our attacking midfield three, playing behind Eoin Doyle.

That would put Gary Roberts on the left and Carl Baker on the right, although it is not regimented for whoever plays in that three.

It’s a shame to drop Kyle Bennett, who had lots and lots of the ball against Morecambe without doing a lot with it. Then Kal Naismith came on and was more direct and more effective.

I would just like Kyle to be more direct, it doesn’t matter if he loses the ball five times out of six, we just need that one moment.

Naismith should remain on the bench, he continues to make such an impact, while Roberts was excellent on Tuesday night. That goal at Carlisle has worked wonders.

Overall, this year I am much more confident of getting promoted.

The defence is sorted out, we look much more solid and the league is not as strong this season.

We just have to get into that third place as soon as possible – then we can be more confident going forward.

Carlisle and Plymouth cannot keep losing. In fact, they meet this weekend and I can see Keith Curle’s side getting something.

But, apart from a trip to Colchester, we have a nice run of fixtures and I can absolutely see us winning promotion from this position.

Once we break in there, I believe we’ll go up quite comfortably.