JFH not surprised Tom now lines up as Pompey skipper
TOM Naylor had earned a glowing reference from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink when Portsmouth came calling to sign him in the summer of 2018.
Naylor, who is likely to line up as Portsmouth’s captain against Burton Albion today, had been signed for the Brewers, initially on loan, in January, 2015, to bolster the League Two promotion campaign.
They won the title and, at the end of the season, he was released by Derby County and signed a two-year deal with Burton.
He was a key man in the League One promotion season which followed and in the two Championship seasons.
By the time he headed a memorable stoppage-time winner at home to Gillingham in the penultimate game of 2015-16 season, a goal which all but clinched promotion, he was a firm favourite with supporters but Hasselbaink had moved on.
At the end of the 2017-18 season, with Burton relegated from the Championship and Naylor out of contract, Pompey, rebuilding their squad under then manager Kenny Jackett, offered him a contract and he has been there ever since.
He had played 117 times for Burton and has now, at 29, has passed that with the south coast club, making 141 appearances.
“I remember when I left here, the year after, Kenny Jackett, called and asked me about Tom and I could only give him a good reference,” said Hasselbaink, who had been impressed when he saw Naylor training at Derby.
“I signed him here for us and he was instrumental. He’s a good lad, a top pro and I can understand why he’s their captain.
“He’s always leading in the right way. It will be nice to see him – but, hopefully, we can keep him quiet.
“He was brilliant for this club, especially in the Championship.
“He can play right-back, he can play right midfield, he can play central, which I think is what he prefers.”