Waddock says hard work is behind unbeaten run
Three successive victories, six games unbeaten and a glut of goals.
Pompey fans have certainly enjoyed a successful February and will be hoping the month can end in style with three points against Oxford this weekend.
The fine run has seen the Blues steadily climb the League Two table and they are now only nine points adrift of the play-off spots.
But Gary Waddock insists that there has been no magic formula behind the recent rejuvenation – it is simply down to plenty of graft.
Pompey’s assistant manager said: “Everybody’s worked extremely hard and the game at Wycombe seems to have been a turning point.
“The effort that the players have produced on the training ground has resulted in an upturn in performances.
“They had, in fairness, improved before we started picking up a lot of points, but now we’re getting what we deserve.
“To go to Cambridge away and score six goals is some achievement and to follow it up with a home win against Tranmere – when the odds were stacked against us – shows tremendous team spirit.
“Football’s funny – there are incredibly fine margins and you need a little bit of luck along the way.
“But we want this run to continue and the only way that will happen is if we keep working hard.”
Pompey have named the same starting 11 for five consecutive games, although James Dunne’s 10th booking of the season against Tranmere means he must now serve a two-match ban.
Waddock said: “Once you’re in the team and performing well then you keep the shirt.
“If someone goes out through injury or suspension then those waiting patiently have to take their opportunity.
“You need competition and there has been plenty of that, but when you’re part of a winning side you don’t want to come out of it.”
Waddock spent the last few months of the 2013/14 campaign in charge of Oxford before being replaced by former Blues boss Michael Appleton over the summer.
“New owners came in and wanted their own man,” he explained. “I have no problem with that – it’s the business we’re in.
“There are still players there from when I was manager, although there has also been a lot of new guys coming in.
“They’re a strong outfit and have some talented people in that team, so it’s all set up to be a good game on Saturday.”
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