Portsmouth boss on why time was right to put his trust in former Arsenal starlet after ongoing defensive headache

And the Blues boss saluted Zak Swanson’s encouraging display in the 1-0 triumph at Forest Green Rovers.

The 22-year-old previously featured off the bench on three occasions in the league for the Blues, yet Saturday represented his full debut.

Cowley finally turned to Swanson after employing the left-footed Connor Ogilvie at right-back in the previous five league fixtures.

The outcome was a clean sheet and heartening performance from the former Arsenal youngster.

Pompey’s head coach told The News: ‘I thought Zak did great, it was a big day for him, I know how hard he’s worked to get to this position – and I’m really proud of him.

‘He did fine defensively, positionally he did well against the ball. Of course with any young player there were a couple of moments, he can improve in the one-v-one.

‘However, offensively his tactical understanding of the game and positional play is excellent and technically I thought he put some really lovely crosses in.

‘We felt it was a good game for Zak and are trying to develop and improve him. He's a boy that’s improving all the time, there are certain elements of the game that we are trying to develop.

‘The Papa John’s Trophy has a different intensity, but when he played at Cardiff in the Carabao Cup it was a league-intensity game – and he really suffered in the last 20 minutes.

‘Whereas on Saturday you could see that Zak is becoming more durable and more robust.’

Swanson has made eight appearances since his summer arrival for an undisclosed fee.

His start at the New Lawn would coincide with another full debut for one of his team-mates – Jay Mingi.

And the pair’s first-team breakthrough has been applauded by Cowley.

He added: ‘We gave full debuts to two young lads and that means a good day. It wasn’t perfect, but we have to see the positives.

‘We have to accept that, as a club, we can’t compete with the teams at the top of this division in terms of the depth they have in terms of experienced players they have to bring in.

‘We have 12 young ones, but they are our young ones and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

‘They bring energy and enthusiasm, keeping the training ground honest on a daily basis.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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