Pompey v Northampton - Gaffer for a day

I would use this match as a chance to rest certain players ahead of the play-offs.

In particular, I would like to see Ben Davies and Gary Roberts given a breather.

Davies is tired, I don’t think he has played that well since January.

To be brutally honest I think his legs have gone.

I know that sounds harsh but he is nowhere near his early-season form, we shouldn’t be blinded by that.

When Roberts is in our team on the occasions we have played really well he has been at the heart of it. When opposition teams are stretched he is capable of passing through them.

If we rest those, I would bring in Conor Chaplin and keep Kieron Freeman at right-back.

I would also play Adam McGurk up front in place of Michael Smith, who has obviously returned to Swindon.

Who doesn’t like Chaplin? He has scored pretty much every time he has played and should have been given more starts, six league starts is not enough.

McGurk looked good earlier in the season and could have an important part in the play-offs, I would have no problem putting him in attack.

It will be interesting seeing Ricky Holmes back.

He’s had another great season for Northampton, although is typical of creative players at this level in that he can be unpredictable.

Andy Awford shouldn’t have got rid of him when he did, he certainly didn’t get anyone better in to replace him.

Holmes seemed to get the blame for the Aldershot defeat, which was harsh. He always had the potential to be a match-winner, getting a goal out of nothing.

Looking to the play-offs, I believe we’ll beat Plymouth and get to Wembley. I would rather the second leg was away, though.