Rose seeking more goals from Pompey's midfield

The former Oxford United player turned in a man-of-the-match display in Saturday’s 4-0 hammering of Mansfield.

Although failing to get on the scoresheet, the 28-year-old impressed with his willingness to burst forward from his holding-midfield role.

Even before the Blues’ numerical advantage, Rose regularly ventured into the opposition penalty area while Michael Doyle remained deep.

The summer recruit has netted twice in 17 appearances this season – the highlight being a stunning half-volley from long range against Plymouth.

Tomorrow, Paul Cook’s men take the trip to Cheltenham seeking to improve on their placing of fourth in the table.

And Rose, who will again start in place of the suspended Amine Linganzi, is striving for more goals.

He said: ‘I would like to have got a couple of more goals, there are a couple of incidents in which I probably should have done better.

‘In home games when we are dominating the ball and keeping teams penned in, you will see myself or another midfielder having a little bit more adventure into the box rather than having the two midfielders sitting and keeping the ball going from side-to-side.

‘Sometimes that run from deeper areas can cause the opposition a few more problems. Their midfielder can switch off and maybe not track the runner, so that runner arriving from deep can be the one thing that catches teams out.

‘I have done that and maybe should have a couple more goals. Hopefully, I can get them soon.

‘Against Colchester there was a rebound and the keeper dived. Looking back, I probably should have scored even though it was a decent save.

‘I have got into decent positions and the ball has either not quite fallen or the delivery has not come.

‘Trying to fill the box when we have good possession in wide areas is something we have been working on.’

Recently, Linganzi had replaced Rose in Pompey’s first team for a five-match stint.

However, his presence came to an end with a red card in the victory at Cambridge United.

That has allowed Rose a way back into the side – and he aims to now stay there.

He added: ‘Hopefully, by the time Amine is available to play the gaffer has a bit of a headache.

‘A red card, suspension, injury or lack of form, you never know when you are going to be called up either to do a job or come on as sub.

‘The gaffer knows what I bring to the team and if I can bring those same attributes, hopefully, I can stay there for as long as possible.

‘Amine is a strong lad who brings a lot of physicality to the midfield and can defend set-pieces.

‘I know the manager has said if there is me, Kyle Bennett and Conor Chaplin in the team that is something we sort of sacrifice a little bit.

‘You are obviously disappointed to come out of the team but sometimes you need to freshen it up a little bit.’