Waddock: We have to ensure fledglings don’t sink

Conor Chaplin in action for Pompey against Mansfield last weekend Picture: Joe Pepler

GARY WADDOCK believes he’s got the balance right when it comes to blooding Pompey’s youngsters.

Caretaker boss Waddock is expected to lead the Blues for the final time against York City today.

It will be the fourth game of the 53-year-old’s tenure, after Andy Awford departed as manager last month.

One of the key themes of that period has been Waddock’s willingness to blood youngsters at the end of a campaign of disappointment.

Conor Chaplin, Adam May and Ben Close have been given playing time, on top of the likes of established young pros Jed Wallace, Dan Butler and Adam Webster.

Emsworth talent Bradley Tarbuck has also been added to the first-team squad for the last game of the season at Fratton Park. Waddock explained he’s avoided the temptation to throw in the young players en masse.

He feels that would have been detrimental to their development.

But the former QPR boss fully intends to give fans a decent glimpse of what talent the club possesses today.

Waddock said: ‘You have to balance it.

‘In the games I’ve been involved in, I’ve made sure there were senior players in there to help.

‘You can’t leave them too exposed. You have to get it right for them.

‘If you give these younger players opportunities, you have to make sure they are going to shine.

‘If you don’t do it in the right way, it could hurt their development.’

– JORDAN CROSS