Keeper interviewed in Blackpool programme
He has spent most of the season watching from the bench.
But Liam O’Brien knows that his opportunity to make a Pompey league bow could arrive at any time.
The keeper did appear in all three EFL Trophy group stage games earlier in the campaign, however, making three penalty saves in a shoot-out against Reading under-21s.
And the 25-year-old is putting in plenty of effort in training to make sure he will be ready if called upon.
“I knew the situation when I signed and that Fordey was going to be the number one,” says O’Brien in the official matchday magazine for tonight’s clash with Blackpool. “I just have to get my head down, work hard and wait for my chance.
“A goalkeeper could get injured or sent off in the first minute or the last, so you always have to be ready. If I had to come on it would be my league debut, so I don’t want to be making any mistakes.
“I’ve managed to make a name for myself with saving penalties! I’ve had a few this year for the first team and the reserves, which is great considering the number of matches I’ve played.
“It’s really a guessing game when you choose which way to go, but the luck seems to have gone my way.
“It would be nice to get into the team for a league fixture and save one in front of all those fans. That would be unbelievable, so we’ll just have to see what happens.”
To read the full interview – where Liam also discusses his first spell at Pompey – pick up a copy of the magazine from programme sellers around the ground.
Also in issue 18, Robbie Blake takes the 20 Questions challenge, while we test the general knowledge of Alex Bass.
There is an in-depth look at Blackpool, plus exclusive columns from Iain McInnes, Paul Cook and Michael Doyle.
All this and much, much more in a packed 84 pages is available for just £3.