Pompey defender takes blame for goal

JACK WHATMOUGH held his hands up for Carlisle's goal after winning the race to start the season.
Jack Whatmough. Picture: Joe PeplerJack Whatmough. Picture: Joe Pepler
Jack Whatmough. Picture: Joe Pepler

Whatmough was given the nod to begin the campaign in Paul Cook’s first XI at the back in Saturday’s campaign-opening 1-1 draw.

It was the Gosport talent’s second start in 17 months after suffering a cruciate knee injury against Cheltenham in March 2015.

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Whatmough felt he was at fault for Reggie Lambe’s 14th-minute goal in a testing first half.

But the 19-year-old vowed to learn from the experience after taking responsibility for it.

He said: ‘I’ll take the blame.

‘I dropped deep to cover Burge (Christian Burgess) and didn’t squeeze back up.

‘They got in-behind because of that. I’ll take the blame for that.

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‘It wasn’t my strongest of 45 minutes. My passing wasn’t great. Maybe it was the occasion.

‘But I grew into the game and felt I got better as it went on. It’s a learning curve.

‘When Burge goes to win the ball I cover round.

‘It’s the first time we’ve played together in a competitive match.

‘I’ve got things to learn and he has things to learn about me.

‘It’s learning curve and I can only get better from it.’

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Whatmough took heart from emphatically putting his injury problems behind him, however, with Saturday’s start.

The England under-19 man saw Cook’s selection as reward for the graft he’s put in to make a full recovery.

Whatmough said: ‘I’ve worked hard and I’ve pushed myself to show the gaffer I’m fit.

‘He gave me that opportunity, so hopefully I can get more chances to go out and impress.’

- JORDAN CROSS