Pompey boss calls for calm

Paul Cook believes Pompey are equipped to deliver as they flex their promotion muscle.
Michael Doyle celebrates his goal with the Pompey fans. Picture: Joe PeplerMichael Doyle celebrates his goal with the Pompey fans. Picture: Joe Pepler
Michael Doyle celebrates his goal with the Pompey fans. Picture: Joe Pepler

But the Blues boss has called for calm after his side produced one of their most destructive performances of his managerial tenure.

Cook’s side demolished Colchester with a brutal attacking display against a side who had won seven of their last eight home fixtures.

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That saw Pompey open up a four-point gap in third place as they solidified their automatic berth.

Cook tempered his pleasure at his side’s performance, however, with a note of realism.

The 50-year-old insisted it’s just a step closer to completing the job.

Cook said: ‘I don’t want to get involved in talk about cushions.

‘We don’t need a cushion – we need a sofa!

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‘I do my best to keep going. I’ve been brought in to do my job and I’m doing it to the best of my ability.

‘We’re a well-balanced team at our best.

‘Clarke and Burgess are strong defenders. We’ve got left and right-footed players in the right areas.

‘We’ve got youth and experience but it’s not about saying how good and great we are.

‘We have good players and we are a good team but we’ve achieved nothing yet.

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‘I’m delighted with the squad we’ve got and pleased with the position we’re in but I’m genuinely one of those lads who tries to stay on an even keel.

‘You can get ahead of yourself quickly. You will get brought down to earth with a bump if that’s the case.

‘If you don’t turn up you will not win. But we’re doing it. We’re doing it a lot better.

‘We’ve been to places like Doncaster and got caught up in the game.

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‘Every player in the team has a role. Normally, if we do our roles well, we’ll keep clean sheets and create chances.’

Pompey now have a quick chance to strengthen their promotion hand as they return to Fratton Park tomorrow to face Grimsby.

Cook is pleased he is seeing a side in his image putting a smile on fans’ faces.

He said: ‘I don’t want to over-debate things because we know this league is tough.

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People get dead high and down. Up and down. I don’t want to get into that.

‘We’ve got 10 games and a points target we’d love to get to. If we win on Tuesday that will take us closer.

‘We have a way we like to play. At our worst we get a lot of criticism because people say it’s negative. I don’t buy into that one. I think we play the game in a good manner.

‘When it comes together, we can leave the ground with everyone talking well about Portsmouth Football Club.

‘In my time that’s how I want to be spoken about.

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‘Tomorrow, if it takes 60 minutes or 70 minutes, what I’d say to the fans is stay with us. Please stay with us.

‘I’m trying to take this club forward. It’s an honour to be manager of this football club.’