Striker John Marquis lifts lid on match-changing keeper call which saved Portsmouth from cup embarrassment

Craig MacGillivray rescued Kenny Jackett’s side from what looked likely to be a shock Carabao Cup exit to the side who finished rock bottom of League Two last season.

MacGillivray’s three penalty shootout stops saved the day after a shambolic first-half defensive display looked set to heap opening-day misery on the Blues.

Jackett took evasive action by withdrawing Alex Bass at the break after a shaky first-half performance, as Pompey eventually went on to draw 3-3 before emerging victorious on penalties.

It was an alarming effort at the back, however, which posed serious questions of the Blues’ defensive credentials at the start of the season.

It was a big call from Jackett to withdraw Bass at the interval, but Marquis feels it’s a decision the rookie keeper needs to respect.

And the striker told how that’s exactly what the 22-year-old did, as he showed his class by congratulating MacGillvray on his match-winning display.

Marquis said: ‘Substitutions and changes like that are down to the manager and staff.

‘You’ve got to respect that. You may not think that at the time, but the gaffer has spoken to Bassy at the time and given his reasons.

‘You have to respect that and not throw your toys out of the pram.

‘Bassy was the first one to go in there and congratulate Craig on his three penalty saves.

‘This year we’re going to have a smaller squad and it’s going to be tight knit.

‘You can’t have little bits where you’re disappointed if you don’t play.

‘You’re going to get chances to play games and everyone’s going to get an opportunity to play.

‘So we’ve got to stick together because everyone’s going to get a chance to play this year.’

Marquis wasn’t surprised to see MacGillivray pull off his penalty heroics, as he denied Danny Newton, Elliot Osbourne and Ben Coker from 12 yards.

He told how the keeper’s work on the training ground laid the groundwork for the stops, as well as giving the the striker the platform to tuck away his spot-kick.

Marquis added I practise a lot of penalties and our keepers are all very good.

‘Duncan (Turnbull) as well is massive in goal and takes up a lot of space.

‘We practise a lot and I’m confident stepping up and taking penalties.

‘It’s practising and good habits. It’s important.

‘I do score past Craig, but he saves them as well.

‘It’s hard in training because players have a certain technique and by now Craig’s probably clocked on to how I take my penalties, and my options of where I will go in terms of my run-up.

‘But he’s done really well, a good size in the goal and he couldn’t have done much more than three penalty saves.’

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