Mainstay Ben Close reveals the secret behind Portsmouth's two-year unbeaten EFL Trophy run

That’s the verdict of Ben Close as the Blues seek to mark more than two years unbeaten in the competition with consecutive Wembley visits.

The last time Kenny Jackett’s side tasted defeat in the EFL Trophy was in January 2018, when Chelsea Under-21s claimed a last-gasp 2-1 win.

Since then they are undefeated in all 14 matches, consisting of 13 wins and one draw.

The competition holds fond memories for Close, who has made 20 appearances so far, including his debut and skippering Pompey for the first and only time.

Then, of course, there was Sunderland at Wembley in March 2019.

Now the Blues tonight face League Two Exeter for a place in the Leasing.com Trophy final.

Close said: ‘I remember Chelsea’s winning goal the last time we lost, but we’ve had a great time in the competition since.

‘It has been great for the club, for the players – and we are desperate to win tonight and get to Wembley again.

‘I’d put it down to our commitment to the competition, we always have a strong team in these games and the attitude and players might be better than what other teams have shown.

‘We have the quality, but it’s hard to win that many matches back-to-back, so I think probably the attitude and commitment of players has been key.

‘We have a spirit in this team that we all want to win, every single game we play, no matter the competition.

‘It provides you with opportunities, it keeps your spirits up if you are not in the team on a Saturday.

‘In the last few years I’ve played a lot of games in it and, if you ask all the players, we really enjoy the competition.’

Close also featured the last time Exeter faced Pompey in the competition – a 2-0 Blues defeat in September 2015.

He added: ‘I was captain for that game, I’m pretty sure it’s the only time.

‘We had a really young team. Paul Cook treated the competition a little differently!’