Jack Whatmough addresses prospect of continuing in makeshift Portsmouth role at Northampton

Jack Whatmough is happy to continue operating as a makeshift right-back to help Pompey’s faltering promotion cause.
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But the defender admitted he’d not played in the position for around 12 years, after moving into the role at Doncaster.

Whatmough returned to the starting XI at the Keepmoat Stadium after seven games without a start, with a three-game ban arriving after his controversial red card against Lincoln.

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The 24-year-old was shifted from a three-man defence to right-back amid Pompey’s early struggles on Tuesday night.

With both James Bolton and Callum Johnson sidelined and teenager Haji Mnoga continuing his senior education, Whatmough could be in line to continue in the position at Northampton this weekend.

Whatmough said: ‘I quite enjoyed playing right-back. I was probably about 12 the last time I played there when I first signed for Pompey!

Jack WhatmoughJack Whatmough
Jack Whatmough
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‘I haven’t played for about six weeks and I’ve looked after myself.

‘I was in good enough nick to go and do a job there in that role.

‘It’s something I’ve spoke to the gaffer and Joe about - and it’s somewhere I’m happy to play.

‘There were no questions from me. As soon as they said was I happy to play in that role, I said I’d do anything to play in the team.’Plenty of Pompey fans have aired their frustration over Whatmough’s wait to get back into the first team after his suspension, but it’s not a position the academy graduate took himself.

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He said: ‘It’s part and parcel of my career. It’s what happens.

‘It’s all learning. Raggs and Nico were playing well together, and it kept me out.

‘It’s what I’d expect, so there’s been no sulking.

‘I spoke with the manager and Joe, and it was “get your head down, work hard and when your chance comes, it comes”.

‘It’s come for me in a different position but I won’t argue with playing there - or anywhere on the pitch.’

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