Portsmouth boss John Mousinho on why latest positional switch can finally get best out of Ipswich loanee
The loanee earned praise operating in a different position in the goalless draw against Wrexham
John Mousinho is banking on finally having identified the position to bring the best out of Conor Chaplin after his Wrexham high.
The Blues boss credits the Ipswich loanee’s display in Wednesday night’s goalless draw as his best since returning to Fratton Park.
After eight appearances, including spells as the number 10 and on the right wing, Chaplin was handed a front three role against the Red Dragons by Mousinho in a new 3-4-3 system.
Operating inside right, with energetic wing-back Terry Devlin outside him, the positional switch coincided with a much-improved display from the 28-year-old.
Although, crucially, Chaplin continues to search for his first goal of his second south-coast stint.
Portsmouth boss: It was well worth keeping him on for 90 minutes
Mousinho told The News: ‘I thought that’s the best he’s played for us since coming back. Probably the only thing missing from his performance was a goal.
‘He put himself into some really good positions and had some shots. On another day, knowing what Conor Chaplin can produce, the ball goes in the back of the net.
‘One of those goes in and the confidence will lift again, but, overall it was a really good performance from Chappers. It was well worth keeping him on for the 90 minutes and he affected the game really well.
‘We obviously changed formation and tried to get him a lot closer to Colby. We were less concerned with him rotating out onto the right, needing the heavy reliance on the right wing-back to allow it.
‘Sometimes it leaves us with that void on the right-hand side, which I suppose is inevitable when you do that.
‘Regardless of the position you’re playing him in, there were a few things he did in the first half very well. He gets the lad booked because he actually drives forward and gets on the half turn. He made a big difference.’
Nine games without a goal
Although Murphy was in magnificent form, Pompey still failed to find a way past keeper Arthur Okonkwo, with Phil Parkinson’s men relieved to leave Fratton Park with a point.
As for Chaplin, it is now nine games without a goal since his loan arrival, while he also failed to find the net for Ipswich in five previous matches this term before his Blues switch.
It’s a rare blank spell for the striker, who netted in the Premier League for the Tractor Boys last season as they suffered relegation.
But Mousinho senses the breakthrough goal is close.
‘He just needs a goal’
He added: ‘Chappers just needs a goal. If he slots one into the back of the net then his whole level of confidence and everybody around the place will see a big difference.
‘He had the chances against Wrexham, will keep building on that and he will score.’
Your Next Pompey Read: Disappointed Pompey boss rues a point as Wrexham get a Fratton Park let off