Richardson: Time to put Orient low right

POMPEY have been challenged to right the Leyton Orient wrong.
Pompey assistant manager Leam Richardson Picture: Joe PeplerPompey assistant manager Leam Richardson Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey assistant manager Leam Richardson Picture: Joe Pepler

And Blues assistant manager Leam Richardson is looking for the clash with Bristol Rovers to be the catalyst to spark the winning run which has eluded his team so far this season.

A disappointing return of a single point from two games has allowed the Pirates to arrive at Fratton Park tomorrow above Paul Cook’s side.

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That also sees Pompey outside of the play-off places in eighth going into the clash with Darrell Clarke’s men.

Only Oxford have lost fewer games than the Blues, but a failure to put a run of consecutive wins together has hurt their promotion bid.

Richardson is looking for that to happen now.

He said: ‘It wasn’t just the result against Orient, it was the performance.

‘It’s the first time we’ve come off second best.

‘It’s not happened a lot this season.

‘So we’ll give ourselves a break on that one and look forward to putting it right against Bristol Rovers.

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‘Sometimes you’ll turn up in any line of work and not be as productive as normal, regardless of whatever line of work you’re in.

‘You won’t be able to put your finger on it. Then the next day you turn up at the level you can perform.

‘That’s what we are looking to do against Bristol Rovers.

‘Of course a winning run is what is needed. It’s been needed all season.

‘But we’ve been very much in transition since we came in – in terms of management, players and staff.

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‘We’ve had quite a lot to shout about so far in terms of the cups and league.

‘It’s been very positive and I expect it to be the same over the rest of the season.’

The frustration of last weekend’s performance was felt around Fratton Park, with boos on the full-time whistle.

Just seven days earlier, however, Pompey were cheered off the pitch and enjoyed plaudits for their display against Premier League Bournemouth in the FA Cup.

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Cook highlighted he’ll be staying on an even keel after the Orient disappointment, and he has focused on lifting his players this week.

That included an impromptu lunch date on Southsea seafront on Wednesday, as the players were handed a change of scenery.

Now the attention turns to picking up three vital points tomorrow – and Richards believes there will be a united front in that effort.

He said: ‘Portsmouth are up for it as a football club. They’ve needed to be for a few years.

‘This week is no different.

‘It’s not a time for a rallying cry, though,

‘It’s been fine this week. It’s been a productive week.

‘It’s nice to have a different environment and get-together.

‘We need to put performances like Bournemouth and Ipswich together regularly. I’m sure we can.’