PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB

Andy Awford knows that his side will fall behind on occasions this season.

But he has demanded a better reaction than the one he saw at Southend at the weekend.

Pompey never looked like recovering once Barry Corr had opened the scoring at Roots Hall.

And Awford wants to see a positive reaction when Dagenham & Redbridge visit Fratton Park on Tuesday evening.

The Blues boss said: “We’ve got an immediate opportunity to put things right at home.

“On Saturday it was the first time that I saw they didn’t have the belief after going one goal down. I couldn’t see us getting back into the game.

“We have to do better if we do go behind again because we’re not going to score first in every game we play.

“But the players have got the bit between their teeth and I’m sure you’ll see a spirited performance on Tuesday.

“I spoke to the players in a meeting and said that we had to play with a tempo and urgency to get people off their seats again.

“We’ve had enough of the ball in recent weeks, but the final bit of play hasn’t been good enough.

“Whether that’s because of the delivery or not getting enough balls into the box, it’s just not been quite there and we’re looking to address that.”

Wayne Burnett’s Daggers currently sit 19th in League Two after losing at home to Cambridge on Saturday.

Awford said: “They’re where they are in the league because they haven’t started the season too well.

“I know Wayne well and he’ll be looking to put that right, but it’s our job to keep them down and mount our own climb up the table.”

Jed Wallace (calf) and Jack Whatmough (cramp) are available for selection against Dagenham after recovering from injuries suffered at Southend on Saturday.

But the game comes too soon for Nick Awford (shoulder) and Nigel Atangana (hamstring), who have both returned to light training, while Ben Chorley (calf) and Ryan Taylor (groin) are both still sidelined.