Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett explains early Haji Mnoga substitution after both he and Cam Pring are replaced at half-time against Crewe

Kenny Jackett admitted he wanted to add experience to his both his full-back areas as he explained the double substitution he made at half-time against Crewe today.
Haji Mnoga in first-half action against Crewe.Haji Mnoga in first-half action against Crewe.
Haji Mnoga in first-half action against Crewe.

It’s fair to say that the Pompey manager surprised most when he handed academy graduate Haji Mnoga his full football league debut against the Railwaymen, with Callum Johnson dropping to the bench.

He also resisted naming Lee Brown in his starting line-up, despite the 30-year-old being available following four matches out with a hamstring injury.

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Once again, on-loan Bristol City defender Cam Pring filled in at left-back.

Both starters found the going tough in the first half, though, with the visitors using the width of the Fratton Park pitch well and finding room down both flanks to get dangerous crosses into the box.

Crewe, in particular, found plenty of joy down their left – and that prompted the manager to rejig his defensive options, despite a 2-0 lead at the break.

Both Brown and Johnson were introduced at the interval in a bid to help thwart the visitors’ attacking threat.

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And although the former was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball to allow Crewe to score from the penalty spot in injury-time, Jackett admitted he felt the extra experience that was sitting on the bench was required.

He wanted to counter any hope opposition manager David Artell had of overcoming his side’s 2-0 disadvantage.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Jackett said: ‘Haji’s been very close. He’s done well in training, I just thought that their movement was giving him problems – both full-backs (actually).

‘We needed in the second half two more experienced full-backs – that was it, and there may be other days where we need two younger and energetic full-backs.

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‘At that particular point in the game I thought both Callum and Lee’s experience would help us in the next part of the game.

‘It’s nothing on Cameron Pring or on Haji Mnoga, and they should be pleased with their contributions to get to 2-0 at half-time’

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