Boss wants focus to be on Rochdale
It was a chastening afternoon for Pompey at Bootham Crescent last Saturday.
But Guy Whittingham says the time has come to move on from the humbling York defeat.
The Blues boss has been quick to strengthen his squad since then, bringing in goalkeeper Trevor Carson and midfielder Thery Racon.
And he wants Pompey to put the defeat behind them and concentrate on facing Rochdale this weekend.
Whittingham said: “We’ve got to go out and put everything into the game because the players owe themselves and the fans that.
“The display at York wasn’t good enough and, of course, that has to be put right.
“But there has been a positive response in training, although that’s nothing more than I expected.
“I keep stressing that all our fans want to see is players wearing the shirt with pride and giving 100 per cent and the players have taken that on board.
“Now it’s time to put the last game to bed and move on to the next one.
“Rochdale are a side who like to play football and are on a good run of form, so it’s going to be a tough game.”
Whittingham also insisted that Alan Knight still has an important role to play at Pompey, despite stepping down as goalkeeping coach.
He said: “I want to make it clear that he hasn’t left the club. There will always be a place for Alan here because he’s a legend and part of the future of Pompey.”
Joe Devera (hamstring) and Shaun Cooper (groin) are both in contention to play on Saturday after returning to training.
But Simon Ferry (hamstring) and Andy Barcham (knee) are doubts, while Yassin Moutaouakil while serve the final game of a three-match suspension.