Boss looks ahead to AFC Wimbledon trip
They have notched 11 goals in the past seven Pompey games.
Now Andy Awford hopes the ‘TnT’ partnership of Ryan Taylor and Matt Tubbs can blast their way through the AFC Wimbledon defence this weekend.
The latter spent the first half of the season with the Dons and was on the scoresheet in their 2-0 Boxing Day victory at Fratton Park.
And with Pompey sitting above their next opponents on goal difference, Awford expects a difficult test.
The Blues boss said: “They’re a strong side and it will be a tough game – just like they all are in this league.
“I’ve only been there to watch games and I’m looking forward to the atmosphere because it should be electric.
“We lost to AFC Wimbledon at our place and deservedly so because they played well and we were poor on the day.
“A certain Mr Tubbs scored against us then. We often talk about players going back to their old club and getting a goal, so hopefully that will happen for us this weekend.
“I’m sure he’ll get a decent reception because he did very for them and now he’s doing very well for us.
“He and Ryan Taylor look sharp and confident – they’ve certainly come up with the goods. We look threatening every time we attack.
“We missed an opportunity by drawing with Cheltenham on Tuesday, but if we win this weekend then everything looks rosy again.”
Pompey will be without Jack Whatmough for the foreseeable future, with the teenager joining fellow defender Paul Robinson on the sidelines.
Awford said: “He’s had a scan and there’s some ligament damage, which is what we expected.
“Now he’ll have to have another scan to determine how bad it is, but he’ll certainly be out for a while and it’s likely to be the end of his season.
“He’s been very good whenever he’s played this campaign and it’s hugely disappointing for him.
“The job now is to make sure he recovers and get him back out there as soon as we possibly can.”
Josh Passley could feature at AFC Wimbledon after recovering from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the last two games, but Andy Barcham is doubtful after hurting his knee against Cheltenham.
Pompey can be backed at 7/4 with Sky Bet to win this weekend. Bet at www.skybet.com/pompey to increase our chances of claiming £250,000 from the Sky Bet Transfer Fund.