'We’ve got a real problem': Portsmouth boss reveals headache after career first at Cardiff

Pompey’s head coach admitted Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup trip to Cardiff represented the first time in his managerial career he had named a starting XI of right-footers.

Regardless, the Blues ran out 3-0 winners through second-half goals from Joe Pigott, Ronan Curtis and substitute Colby Bishop.

Yet for Cowley, it represented an unusual team selection, with three left-footers absent through injury and availability.

With Connor Ogilvie joining Clark Robertson and Denver Hume on the sidelines, Joe Rafferty was switched to left-back.

And with firstly Sean Raggett and then Michael Morrison occupying the left centre-half spot, it was an initial line-up exclusively made up of right-footers.

Cowley told The News: ‘We’ve got a real problem.

‘We played with 11 right-footers at Cardiff, I think that’s the first time in my managerial career that has happened. It wasn’t ideal.

‘Connor is just a precaution really because I’ve not got Clark and I’ve got no Denver. I didn’t want to risk him.

‘He had a little bit of tightness in his hip, so we made that call.

‘We’re certainly hopeful some of them will be back for Saturday’s game at Cheltenham.’

With Zak Swanson handed a full Pompey debut at right-back, that allowed Rafferty to switch full-back roles.

Although right-footed, the former Preston man has plenty of experience at operating on the left, according to Danny Cowley.

It’s a versatility which appealed to the Blues boss when weighing up whether to move for the 28-year-old free agent during the summer.

Now, in Pompey’s third fixture of the campaign, he has asked Rafferty to fill the left-back role, albeit through an emergency.

And an impressed Cowley would definitely consider the Irishman for the position again in the future.

He added: ‘I thought Joe Rafferty did a really good job at left-back, he’s very, very reliable, a really consistent performer.

‘He has played left-back a lot, that’s one of the reasons we took him because we know he can play on either side equally as well. He’s very both footed.

‘As a player, sometimes getting the pictures and getting your radar early on in the game can be an issue, but he did well for us.’

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