Evans reveals Portsmouth's best one-v-one defender

Now Nathan Thompson has registered his 50th outing for the Blues as he continues to be a prominent fixture.

Kenny Jackett's first Pompey signing recorded his landmark appearance in Saturday's 2-1 victory at AFC Wimbledon.

Injury-permitting, the tough-tackling right-back has been a regular in the side since his June 2017 arrival from Swindon.

Gareth Evans had previously encountered Thompson during battles with the Robins down the years

And Pompey's captain has praised the 27-year-old's ongoing Fratton Park impact.

Evans said: 'Thommo has been brilliant since he came in, a really solid defender.

'˜In my opinion, he is our best one-v-one defender. I don't see many wingers coming up against him and getting much change out of him, that's his strength.

'˜It's not like he's an out-and-out defender, either, he has also come into his own in terms of coming forward and getting assists.

'˜He's aggressive in his tackles, sometimes a little bit reckless, but that's part of his game. If you take that away you reduce what he brings to the team. He enjoys picking up the bookings!

'˜I played against Thommo a few times when he was at Swindon and it's tough to get past him when you are playing on the wing, he's just a really good player.

'˜He's quite a quiet lad off the pitch, but on it really aggressive. A totally different character, chalk and cheese.

'˜Thommo's also a role model for a lot of the younger lads in the way he carries himself on and off the pitch, he's been an excellent player so far.'

Thompson, who is out of contract this summer, has yet to open his goal account for the Blues.

Yet he has often been a willing accomplice down the right flank, pushing forward to assist attacks.

Evans added: '˜He has come into his own in terms of attacking and has a little bit more licence to go forward this season.

'˜Him and Jamal Lowe have a really good partnership on the right and if you get the ball and turn you will see either of them on your outside ready to receive the ball.

'˜He has a really good delivery, I cannot speak highly enough of him.'