Roberts explains his spot-kick tactics
A lack of penalties was a particular bugbear for Pompey last season.
But there has been plenty of spot-kick joy so far this term – with Gary Roberts the grateful recipient.
He scored the only goal of the game late on against Exeter after Kal Naismith was brought down in the box.
It was the second successive Saturday that Roberts was successful from 12 yards – although there was someone trying to put him off.
The midfielder told Pompey PlayerHD: “When I placed the ball down, one of my mates who I used to play with – Robbie Simpson – shouted: ‘I told him where you go Robbo.’
“My intention was to go the other way, but I changed it up last minute and it was nice to see the ball hit the net.
“It’s mind games. I’ve watched where the keeper saves his penalties and he’ll have watched my last one, but I came out on top.”
The result means that Pompey have now won back-to-back matches and moved up to eighth in the League Two table.
Roberts said: “I thought that we were the better team and they didn’t really hurt us at all, but last year we might have drawn or lost that game.
“You have to come through those nitty-gritty fixtures because you get a lot of them in this league.
“The back four looked strong and stable – Tom Davies came in and looked really secure. I felt confident we’d keep a clean sheet.
“I don’t think I played particularly well and didn’t really get on the ball, but I tried to work as hard as I could for the team.”
Subscribe to Pompey PlayerHD to watch the full Roberts interview and for more fantastic content.