PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB

Pompey are slowly but surely moving in the right direction.

Richie Barker’s reign as Blues boss did not get off to a great start, with successive defeats against Newport and Bristol Rovers.

But Pompey then collected four points in their two Fratton fixtures over Christmas.

Defeat to Southend on New Year’s Day was a setback, although there were plenty of bright spots at Roots Hall.

And Anthony Williams wants to see Pompey maintain those standards for the rest of the season.

The Blues’ assistant manager said: “Consistency is the key for us and it’s what we’re looking for.

“We got four points from the two games at home over Christmas. Then we went to a side with a relatively high league position and had the better chances throughout the game.

“There were a lot of positives that we could take from that match even though we were ultimately beaten.

“It’s pleasing how we’ve been playing recently, but that has to be done on a weekly basis.

“But we are a little low on numbers and have had a few young players on the bench recently, so hopefully we’ll be back to a full complement soon.”

Accrington are the visitors for the first Fratton fixture of 2014 and Williams knows all about their manager James Beattie.

He said: “I was an apprentice with him when we were growing up and he’s someone I know very well.

“James was a bit of a joker and one of the lads when he was younger, so I didn’t think he’d go on to become a manager.

“But he’s got a group of players in who are working hard for him and that will go a long way in this division.

“They’re a young and honest side, although not the most physical. Their results have been up and down.”

Ricky Holmes (head), Andy Barcham (thigh), Simon Ferry (hamstring), Shaun Cooper (hamstring) and Danny East (ankle) have all picked up knocks in recent weeks.

Williams said: “They’re all coming along well, so there might be the possibility of some of them being available this weekend, but we’ll have to see what the physio says.”

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