Changes pay dividends for Pompey
Paul Cook made two modifications to his starting 11 for Barnet’s visit to Fratton Park.
In came Conor Chaplin and Adam McGurk – and both repaid their manager’s faith by scoring in a 3-1 triumph.
Chaplin cancelled out Andy Yiadom’s opener before the interval, while McGurk fired Pompey ahead in the second half.
Then, after Bees keeper Jamie Stephens had been sent off, it was Chaplin who netted again in stoppage-time.
And Leam Richardson was delighted to see the personnel changes have such a positive effect.
The Blues assistant manager said: “In the short time I’ve known Conor, I’ve discovered that he’s a young lad who loves football and loves scoring goals.
“The more he does that then the more the manager is going to pick him in the side.
“He’s out there practicing on the training pitch every day and he’s got great technique as well.
“It was his day, while Adam also came into the team and did very well, but it’s a squad game and we won’t get promoted with just 11 players.”
McGurk’s strike was allowed to stand, despite the linesman flagging Kyle Bennett – who did not make contact with the ball – offside.
Richardson felt that was the right call and was happy with the way Pompey responded to conceding the opening goal.
He said: “When some sides go behind that’s the way it stays, but our lads have got a fair bit of belief in themselves and our philosophy.
“It was good officiating for our second. The linesman put his flag up for a guy who wasn’t interfering with play and it was an intelligent run from Adam who finished very well.
“We got the result we wanted, but there is still plenty of work that needs to be done and we won’t get carried away.”
See what Richardson and Chaplin had to say about the game below or subscribe to Pompey PlayerHD for the full interviews.