Well, hopefully anyway?
Conor Chaplin racked up his 100th appearance for Pompey on Tuesday when he marked his return from injury with a place on the bench – coming on at half time in the defeat at Doncaster.
Chaplin, which he’s managed to do, as a substitute in both instances against Wigan and AFC Wimbledon I think, wasn’t able to make a goalscoring impact from the bench during his second half showing, which brought about his century of appearances for the Blues.
Had it not been for the post Chaplin, 20, would have added his 23rd goal for the club, as it is he still holds a respectable enough 22 from 100 outings, which has seen a good two thirds of those coming as a sub.
A ‘proud’ Chaplin told BBC Radio Solent: ‘It’s a proud moment. Not just for me, but for my family as I’ve grown up playing for the club and it’s a real honour.’
However, as happy as Chaplin was to reach this milestone he knows it doesn’t really change anything.
‘It (100 appearances) doesn’t really change anything. It’s a landmark you get to and you can’t look too far ahead in football.’
His focus, having been limited in his involvement this season by injury and others being selected ahead of him – in a campaign where Chaplin probably does need to step it up after going off the boil after such a promising start to his career – is on his next 100 appearances.
During this, assuming they come, he’s looking for further success at Fratton Park but his immediate focus is on getting back into Kenny Jackett’s starting XI.
Chaplin finished: ‘I’ve probably got to look at the next 100 appearances as another landmark. Within those 100, you want to achieve success with club, which would probably be promotion again to the Championship. You don’t want to get carried away as you forget where you are, but we’ve had a decent start to this season and I’ve just got to keep focusing on getting back in the team and helping the lads.’
I’ve always been a fan of Chaplin, as said he’s got to step up to the plate this season though and prove he’s that player he’s threatened to be, which will clearly benefit us but would mean those advancing glances from other clubs would return…
PLAY UP POMPEY
Follow @VitalPortsmouth.
2017-18 Prediction League – October
Blackburn (a) – Saturday 21st October 2017 – click here.
Bradford (h) – Saturday 28th October 2017 – click here.
