‘It would be a great step for Shocks’, insists Pack
‘I think that bodes for success or creates a real harmony.
‘All modern managers have leadership groups, perhaps they do it just because it’s the thing to do nowadays - but it definitely isn’t at this football club.
‘It’s been important because the gaffer is open to it as well, he is open to our opinion, whether that's good or bad. If I feel something is not going right I have confidence in our relationship and communication that I can be open, certainly it won’t get taken in a bad way.
‘Sometimes that can happen with managers or coaches, they say they want opinions but when someone does voice their opinion it is shoved back down your throat.
‘We still have a good core here - but Conor Shaughnessy would be a great one to step up.’
Shaughnessy was one of Pompey’s most outstanding performers last season, starting 45 of their 46 league matches.
The only one he missed was the opening day of the season visit from Bristol Rovers.
A free transfer arrival from Burton last summe, the central defender was rightly rewarded with a new three-year deal this summer as his importance to the Blues continues to grow.
Pack added: ‘You are now going to have players stepping up, players who have been here a year, someone like Shocks.
‘It would be really good for him because positionally at centre-half you have that leadership on the pitch and he is also now familiar with the group.
‘What with signing a new deal, which he fully deserves, obviously he’s now going to be part of the furniture for a long time. For someone like him, it would be great to step into a leadership role.’