Conor Chaplin would rather see Town keep a clean sheet at Exeter tomorrow than feature in a high-scoring affair after both sides netted eight times in their last three outings.

The Blues head for Devon looking for all three points after having to settle for just one in each of their previous two league games, 4-4 at Charlton and 1-1 at home to Cheltenham last weekend.

Chaplin, 25, said: “People might be expecting a lot of goals based on what’s happened recently but we’ll be looking to keep a clean sheet. That’s something that is at the forefront of our minds.

“If you look at Exeter’s recent history, they’ve been scoring a lot of goals — they’ve been spoilt for them really — and we’ve got one of the best records in England for scoring.

“We’ll be looking to take that into Saturday lunchtime as well, while looking to keep them out as well.”

Chaplin referred back to the games against Charlton, where both sides scored twice in stoppage time, and Cheltenham, when Town had 29 attempts on goal and the visitors only three, and added: “I think there were elements of ‘freak game’ about both of them.

“The Charlton game was an absolute anomaly and I don’t think we’ll ever see anything like that again. It was crazy. I think we could go out and replay those last few minutes and what happened then would never happen again.

“That was an anomaly and very frustrating as well, of course. We put in a really good away performance that day and we should have had three points.

“It was similar last week. I thought we were absolutely brilliant in the game, creating more chances on the day than we’ve ever created before. They were clear-cut chances and there were so many blocked shots as well.

“To be fair, I think we have to take our hats off to Cheltenham, because when I watched the game back it was clear they defended unbelievably well.

“Some of the blocks they made were ridiculous and some of the saves their goalie made were brilliant. On the one hand, you have to say fair play to them, but on the other hand, when you have that many chances you want to score more than one goal.”

How does something like that affect the players? Is it energy-sapping and affect your mentality when you leave the field of play, and is it important that you don’t let it bother you going forward?

Chaplin said: “The immediate feeling after the game, that evening and going into Sunday, is one of frustration and disappointment that you haven’t won the game. At the time it felt like we were able to but as you see the game again through the week, you start to realise how well we played.

“We’re massive on performance and if the performances and all the numbers are in the right direction, the wins will follow. I think that’s normal and that’s the process we are on here. Everyone wants to win games but we firmly believe it’s a case of performance first and that it will generally mean three points.”

After tomorrow’s lunchtime kick-off at Exeter, the Town party will fly back home and preparations will begin for Tuesday night’s visit of Portsmouth in the Papa Johns Trophy, a game that will pitch Chaplin, if he is involved, against the club where he launched his career.

He added: “Yes, of course, but first and foremost it’s about Exeter on Saturday. Against Portsmouth it should be a good cup game and I’m really looking forward to it. Nothing more than that really.

“We also have Buxton coming up at home in the FA Cup and I want to do really well in the cup competitions this season.

“On a personal note, I’d love to play at Wembley with my Ipswich team-mates. I think it’s something that is definitely achievable and we should be aiming for. All the boys have been absolutely brilliant in terms of that throughout the whole season and I can’t see that changing anytime soon.”

Chaplin is also excited about the World Cup, which kicks off at the weekend. Will he be watching? “Yes, of course I will,” he said. “I’ll be watching every game — four games a day for however many weeks! I can’t wait and I love watching England. I’m a big England fan and I can’t wait for Monday when we play Iran.

“I’m not sure if we’re training on Monday and I’ll probably only find out after the weekend. Fingers crossed, we get to watch the game, whether it’s at the training ground or we start earlier or later so we can watch it at home. Right now, I’m not too sure, but if England don’t win it, I want Argentina to win it — for Lionel Messi.”

Chaplin was asked if his Town colleagues Wes Burns and Lee Evans, both Welshmen, would be welcome at his house to watch the clash between England and Wales on Tuesday week. He laughed: “They can come to my place if they want. I’ll happily host them. I’m not saying I’ll talk to them — but I will host them.”

Burns was close to being included in the Welsh squad, narrowly missing out in the final reckoning. But Chaplin added: “There’s obviously disappointment for Wes, but I think he saw it as a win-win situation. If he was going, great, and if he was staying behind, great as well, because he has a chance to contribute to what we’re doing here and we’re glad to have him here. He’s absolutely fine.”

Finally, Chaplin was asked about Deptford-based Town fan Lloyd Skeemer naming one of his new-born twins after his favourite player. The youngster entered the world in September and his proud dad tweeted to say that if he liked the Tweet he would go ahead and name him Arthur Conor Chaplin Skeemer.

Chaplin said: “It’s a bit mad. Fair play to him, I’d completely forgotten about the original tweet, to be honest, until he got back in contact with a tweet about it being official. It’s a bit crazy. Nothing like this has happened before and, like I say, it’s a little bit mad, a little bit crazy.

“But I love it! I don’t know if the boy is going to be fuming or happy when he grows up. I guess it will depend on who he supports then but he’s not got much of a choice at the moment.”

After scoring six goals in his first eight league games of the season Chaplin is having a barren run right now, having failed to find the net in any of his last 11 games in all competitions. If he scores at St James Park tomorrow, though, will he dedicate it to baby Arthur?

Chaplin said: “I’m not sure about that. There are a lot more people in my family who deserve a goal but, like I say, it’s a crazy thing and I’m sure his old man will be happy if I score at Exeter.”

Photo: Matchday Images

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