Steve Bone

And for a couple of games before that was operating well there, you know, in what is probably his best position.

You know, he was played in the deep and midfield role earlier in the season.

It didn't work so well, did it?

So I think if they were both equally fit for the next game and the next game after that, I would probably go at the moment with Chaplin.

But what a good option to have on the bench.

If it's not working for Chaplin, straight swap, bring on Swift.

And that's better without Sekicic as well.

Ideally one of

in the team somewhere I've seen a couple of I've seen a couple of people make the point that with with the likes of Pack Adams and Ali all in there and Caballero we we were a bit more of a sort of physical force yeah as a as a front six than when we had Chaplin and Sekicic both out there because they're both small they're both lighter weights and it's not quite the same

sort of combined force is it when you've got those two or even one of them playing so that's a that's a consideration as well for the manager it's not yeah it's size is not crucial especially in that position in a sort of attacking midfield I go back as far as

Yeah, that's true.

Yeah, there are many, you know, down the years and even today, there are many players who are small in stature but are well worth their place in whatever position they play in, up front, midfield.

There are some very good small full-backs around.

You know, you don't want a four-and-a-half foot centre-half or goalkeeper, ideally, but elsewhere on the pitch.

Yeah, it depends what else they bring, doesn't it?

If they're more mobile because of their size, then yeah, great, get them in there.

Right, yeah, I can see the sense in that.

I'm sure that the manager will have either been asked for his views or have given his views to those who are doing the talking.

even if he's not directly involved, there would have been a conversation between him and Rich Hughes or him and Andy Cullen, I don't know how it works.

And before any talks with Connor and his agent would have started, Pompey, the club, would have wanted to know that Messina still wanted him.