Conor Chaplin bids farewell to Pompey mentor Tubbs

Matt Tubbs, left and Conor Chaplin. Picture: Joe Pepler

Conor Chaplin has thanked Pompey mentor Matt Tubbs for improving his goalscoring prowess.

And the youngster backed Eastleigh to thrive with the ‘natural-born scorer’ now in their side.

Tubbs yesterday completed his long-anticipated switch to the Spitfires, joining on a 93-day loan.

The 31-year-old had this season scored five goals in 17 appearances for Paul Cook’s side. However, he failed to make a Blues first-team squad after October 31 following, firstly, injury and then the form of others.

Chaplin formed a close friendship with the ex-Bournemouth striker during their time at Fratton Park – a relationship honed through hours practicing on shooting following training.

And the 18-year-old paid tribute to Tubbs, who last night made his debut for Eastleigh at Kidderminster.

Chaplin said: ‘I was very close to Tubbsy, he was one of my best mates here.

‘He’s the best finisher I have ever played with.

‘We were doing a shooting drill the other day and he’s at an angle 18-yards out on the corner of the box and produced a Rabona to send it over the keeper and into the far corner.

‘It was the best goal I have ever seen in my life – and Kal Naismith will back me up on that!

‘Wherever Tubbsy goes he will score goals, he is a natural-born scorer.

‘I have learnt a lot from him. At Northampton in December I scored my goal from what I had worked on with Tubbsy on the training ground and the positions he has told me to take up.