Boss not taking Aldershot lightly
Pompey have not won a match in the FA Cup since beating Tottenham at Wembley in the 2010 semi-final.
They are, however, comfortable favourites with the bookmakers to end their barren run against non-league Aldershot this weekend.
The Hampshire outfit currently sit 16th in the Conference Premier table after falling out of the Football League at the end of the 2012/13 campaign.
But Andy Awford has warned against complacency ahead of Sunday’s first round tie at Fratton Park.
The Blues boss said: “We’re normally favourites when we play here anyway, so that’s nothing new for us.
“We’ll approach the game no differently than we would if we were facing a team from League One or League Two.
“As far as I’m concerned it’s just another game that we need to win and it just happens to be against a side from one division lower.
“We’re not playing a Sunday League team – Aldershot are a very good, well-run side, with plenty of history.
“But home advantage is crucial for us and we’ll try to use it as much as we can to make sure our name’s in the hat for the draw on Monday night.
“The players have gained more confidence from the last few performances and we’ve been delighted with our home form – hopefully that will continue on Sunday.”
Pompey have received an injury blow with the news that midfielder James Dunne will have to go under the knife.
“James has got a knee problem, “Awford explained. “But we won’t know the extent of that until they do an exploratory operation on Tuesday.”
Before kick-off on Sunday, Fratton Park will pay a Remembrance Sunday tribute to those who have lost their life in service of their country.
Awford said: “I’ll be going down to the Guildhall on Sunday morning to lay a wreath on behalf of the club.
“We’ll have a period of silence before the game as well and it’s so important that we – along with the rest of the country – remember those people who have paid the ultimate price in service of their country.
“There’s a football match that we have concentrate on winning, but it’s also important that we pay our respects.”
Tickets are still available for Pompey’s FA Cup clash with Aldershot and can be bought online here.