Club captain taking positives from JPT defeat
Pompey’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy hopes were dashed at the second round stage by Northampton.
But Johnny Ertl believes there are plenty of positives to take from the second round defeat at Fratton Park.
Ryan Taylor had drawn the Blues level after David Moyo’s opener, only for Kaid Mohamed to net a second half winner for the Cobblers.
The hosts created plenty of scoring opportunities, however, and Ertl wants to see more of the same in the league.
Pompey’s club captain said: “In the first half we played with a really high tempo and created a lot of chances.
“It was a fantastic goal, but we should have been clinical and taken more of our chances.
“The young boys who came in really stepped up and did well, despite not being used to playing in front of such a big crowd.
“We wanted to get forward whenever we could and cause Northampton problems around the edge of the box.
“I thought we did well, had a lot of possession and created opportunities, but unfortunately just couldn’t find that second goal.
“We ended the game by showing a lot of courage and enthusiasm and we have to build on that.”
Ertl was angry that Lawson D’Ath’s punishment for a second half challenge on Ricky Holmes was only a yellow card.
He said: “In any other game that would have been a straight red, so I was fuming about that.
“We weren’t happy with a number of the decisions made by the officials, but now we have to move on.”
Tickets are on general sale for Saturday’s clash with Mansfield at Fratton Park and can be bought online here.