Appy refuses to dwell on Notts loss

The Blues put in a poor performance at Meadow Lane last weekend to slump to a 3-0 loss.

It condemned them to a fifth defeat from their past six league matches.

Pompey face Scunthorpe tomorrow desperate for a victory.

And in the build-up, Appleton has revealed he has not mentioned that disappointing Notts County fixture.

He said: ‘You cannot dwell on what has gone on because, if you do, you are putting negative thoughts in to the players’ minds all the time.

‘I don’t think I have discussed the Notts County game with them once.

‘Everything has been about Scunthorpe. We have never looked back.

‘Everything this week has been what we are going to do, how we are going to do it, how positive we are going to be to make sure we are brave in front of our own fans and do the right things.

‘It is about trying to stay positive, trying to look people in the whites of the eyes and saying “this is what it is, this is what we are about. Just give it everything you’ve got and see where we end up”.

‘If we don’t win the game tomorrow, it certainly won’t be down to work-rate, effort or enthusiasm.’