Barton wants to bring his style to new role

The versatile Pompey talent told how he’s relishing the challenge of learning a new trade at the back.

Barton again featured in the middle of defence in the 2-0 win over Bohemians on Saturday.

It was another smooth showing from the 25-year-old as he continues to impress after a switch in position from the middle of the park.

Despite not having been schooled in playing the role previously, Barton is confident about what he can bring to the back line.

And he intends to play the role in his style.

He said: ‘I’m enjoying it.

‘It just suits me the way we play. I want to keep learning it.

‘What’s made me keep my position is the way I play there.

‘It’s not a case of watching how someone in League Two plays there.

‘It’s a big thing to take that rather than learning from other players and how they play there.

‘I have to think about why I kept my place there. It’s the way I do it.’

The Bohemians game marked the first win of Pompey’s pre-season as they chalked up a 2-0 success at Dalymount Park.

That follows on from the 3-3 draw against Sligo Rovers last Wednesday.

Barton isn’t placing too much emphasis on gaining victories at this time of year.

Building momentum ahead of the League Two curtain-raiser against Carlisle on August 6 is what counts.

Barton said: ‘We need to win these games and not think much of it.

‘It’s just there for fitness really.

‘We haven’t gone through tactics or how we really want to play.

‘But we have enough boys here who know how we play, so it should come naturally.

‘It’s always nice to get a win, though.’

Pompey produced a cohesive first-half performance to go in two goals to the good against Bohemians through Danny Rose and Conor Chaplin.

The second-half saw substitutions slow the game’s momentum and Paul Cook’s side fail to add to their efforts.

Bohemians were playing their second game in two days against Pompey after drawing with Bray Wanderers in league action.

That led to a first team being supplemented by under-19 players.

Barton felt Bohemians put in a showing which tested Pompey.

He said: ‘A lot of us thought they’d have all the young players playing.

‘But you wouldn’t have thought they’d played the night before.

‘They have some quality here and there and it could have been a lot closer on another day.’

– JORDAN CROSS