Tom Naylor's contract concerns, Rasmus Nicolaisen teething troubles and Portsmouth's top-two credentials - your questions answered

Tom Naylor's displays this season just makes Kenny Jackett's decision to drop him for the play-offs against Oxford even more baffling. His contract is up at the end of the season but will Pompey be able to keep him? Christopher Howard

We were all baffled by Naylor’s play-off exclusion – fans, press and many of his team-mates.

The skipper, the ever-present when fit and not suspended, yet suddenly he misses the two biggest games of the season. Then it goes back to normal this term.

In terms of his contract, that will be dictated by the salary cap. Yes, back to that subject again!

Naylor is one of Pompey’s top earners, and rightly so considering his status and ability. However, the reality is he would likely need a pay cut to stay at Fratton Park.

Presently his contract signed in the summer of 2018 is regarded at the average League One salary level of around £1,750 per week for cap regulation purposes.

Yet a new deal signed with the salary cap now in place will be real terms, representing what he is actually paid.

Mark Catlin has long warned about this. The cap is £2.5m and any new contract must be able to fit within that restriction.

If Pompey wanted to keep him and even if he wanted to stay, they may not be able to afford it.

That is unless they secure Championship football.

A lot of fans were pushing for Rasmus Nicolaisen to start even before seeing him play. I've not been that impressed with him. Am I being harsh in my opinion? Michael Parnell

One Paul Cook saying has always stuck with me – and I’m not talking about ‘keep going’!

He would regularly remind us how footballers become better when they are not playing for the first-team. He is absolutely spot on.

There was a clamour from many fans for Nicolaisen to be thrown into the action without barely anyone having seen him play. Perhaps it was driven by a desire to replace sometime scapegoat Sean Raggett or an interest in seeing the Dane in action or his eye-catching background which intrigued.

Nonetheless, he is now attracting criticism following his Plymouth performance on just his second League One start.

If he was previously regardly that highly, it seems rather harsh to write him off already as he attempts to adjust to the English game. He has admitted himself that Denmark playing style is different.

Let’s give the lad a chance.

Will there be a determination to keep Ben Close at Pompey at the end of the season? Last night was just further proof of him offering little. Tidy in possession but is never going to be the midfield driving force that will have opposition teams running scared, especially in the Championship, if we get there. Roger Davidson

Ben Close has continually developed season-by-season, yet this term is struggling for game time.

This was initially through the re-emergence of Bryn Morris, but now he has fallen back behind Close, while Andy Cannon presently has the spot and impressing massively.

The system switch has enabled Cannon to flourish, driving forward with the ball, using his energy and dribbling skills. That’s not Close’s game.

They are very different players and, at the moment, Kenny Jackett’s style of play is benefiting from Cannon’s input.

As for the Championship, who is to say Close isn’t more suited to that level? Technically he is very good on the ball, the best passer in Pompey’s midfielder. and could thrive making the step up.

In terms of not getting ‘opposition teams running scared’, not many of his midfield type do. That aren’t flashy attacking players full of pace who traditionally catch the eye and offer an obvious threat.

Michael Doyle scared the opposition in a very different way!

Would have taken a point at Plymouth, to be fair, beforehand, Is this side finally showing it can compete for a top-two place or are we still a bit short. Keith Jackson

I have said all season that this side will reach the play-offs again under Kenny Jackett.

The question is, as you rightly say, is this Pompey squad good enough to finish in the top-two and thereby automatic promotion spots?

Personally, I have grave doubts.

Just as I fancied Pompey for the play-offs when they were losing, I still don’t see them reaching the top two now they are winning more impressively.

That’s not to say they won’t reach the automatic promotion spots. This remains a talented squad, with a proven manager who plays winning football and is capable of long winning streaks.

Peterborough have always been the ones to beat, while Hull have really surprised me considering they entered the season on the back of a losing habit, which is always difficult to end.

Can Pompey finish above them? At this moment, I very much doubt it. But we’ll see.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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