Many people backed Portsmouth to be a success in League Two this season under new manager Paul Cook and so far, they’ve been proven right. Unbeaten so far in the league, Pompey have impressed with a mixture of determination and youthful exuberance that’s had a refreshing effect on the squad.
One of the stars of that youthful movement is Conor Chaplin, last season’s League Two Apprentice of the Year, who has not only showed off his talent in the league but also in the Capital One Cup.
The 18-year-old scored a double last weekend against Barnet, the first a well-placed shot from just inside the box before finishing the game with a neat Michael Owen-esque finish to complete a 3-1 victory for Portsmouth. However, it’s not just League Two opposition that have felt the sting of a Chaplin goal, the youngster has also scored against Championship sides Derby and Reading in the League Cup.
His one against the Rams was a tidy finish but his goal against the Royals was special, he was gifted the ball by their defence before taking it around Ali Al-Habsi and beating defenders on the line with a high finish from an awkward angle.
His goal-tally is impressive with just seven appearances this season but it’s not just his goalscoring that should be earning him noteworthy praise. The young forward has shown some excellent movement, willing to pull out wide to find the space and drive in-behind defenders when he has the chance.
He always seems to look comfortable on the ball, always thinking of a positive move and he’s certainly got an eye for goal too. It’s his accuracy when shooting that really stands out, he regularly finds the corners of the goal where the goalkeeper has no chance and it’s that deadly finishing that must frighten League Two defences to death.
The attitude he displays off the field is also commendable, as assistant manager Leam Richardson told the Portsmouth News: “He is repetitively trying to practice, one of those players I have to drag off the training pitch physically sometimes.
“I had to take his boots off for him the other day so he didn’t kick any more balls! I just think he’s a forward-thinking player who has goals in him and affects games. If he does that on the pitch he can play anywhere.”
Chaplin has said this week that he’s looking for a new contract and does not want to play his football anywhere else at the moment, which must be music to Pompey fans’ ears. He’s certainly an exciting prospect that should be expected to continue to light up League Two for the rest of this season.
