Boss confident ahead of Carlisle clash
Pompey host Carlisle this weekend on the back of a loss at Shrewsbury.
But Andy Awford insists his squad are in buoyant mood ahead of Saturday’s League Two clash at Fratton Park.
The Blues boss felt his side impressed in defeat at Greenhous Meadow and points to a home record that has seen just one team leave the south coast with all three points.
So Awford is confident that Pompey will return to winning ways against the Cumbrians.
He said: “We had a good performance in our last game here against Stevenage and a result to go with it.
“Then we produced a similar display up at Shrewsbury, but unfortunately didn’t get the result that time.
“There are fine lines in this league, but in the last two games the attitude and desire has been excellent – we’ve shown what we can do.
“So we go into this weekend’s game in really good spirits. Everyone’s feeling high and ready to build on our excellent home form.
“It’s been a great week in training and we’re not carrying any bumps and bruises, which is great.
“Everyone’s fit and raring to go and we’re all looking forward to getting back out there at Fratton Park.”
Carlisle have won four of their seven games since Keith Curle took charge at Brunton Park to move off the foot of the League Two table and into 20th position.
Awford said: “They’ve had the new manager ‘spike’ which we’ve seen happen at a lot of clubs – it happened with me at the end of last season.
“They’ll be settling down after the resurgence under Keith and will be getting used to how he operates.
“He’s had a great start there, but with the fixture being played here at Fratton Park then I see it as one we should be looking to win.”
After facing Carlisle, Pompey start their FA Cup campaign with a home test against non-league Aldershot on Sunday, November 9.
“I was just delighted to be at home,” said Awford. “The icing on the cake was to get a team that are not in our league.
“I’m sure Aldershot will bring a fair few fans down and they’re a side that we have good links with.
“But it’s on the backburner at the moment because we have the bread-and-butter of the league to get sorted first.”
Supporters with concession tickets may be asked to show proof of age identification at the turnstiles, with spot checks taking place at every match.