Boss prepared for tough Newport test
Pompey are odds-on favourites to continue their fine away form when they face Newport this weekend.
The Welsh outfit are propping up the rest of League Two and the Blues are flying high in second spot.
County have won just game all season and have yet to taste success at their Rodney Parade home.
But that does not mean Paul Cook is about to fall into the trap of feeling complacent.
The Blues boss said: “It’s such a long season with 46 games and none of us know what the outcome will be in October.
“Football’s a rollercoaster – we left Cambridge on a high last Saturday, while it was a bit of a low at Fratton Park the previous week.
“But the reality is that we’re second in the league and now we just keep going against Newport.
“John Sheridan has gone in there as manager recently and I’m sure they’ve had a good week of training behind them.
“He’s got great experience and has won the title at this level and he’s won at Wembley – he’s a really good manager and his teams try to play the right way.
“I’m sure it’s going to be an entertaining game of football and it’s one that we’re all looking forward to.
“They’ve brought a few new players into the club and we’re expecting a very tough test.
“It’s one that everyone expects us to win on paper – but unfortunately we don’t play football on paper.”
Pompey will be without Gareth Evans after an appeal to overturn his three-match ban for a red card at Cambridge last week was dismissed.
Cook said: “We thought that it wasn’t a malicious challenge, but the outcome is what it is and we’ll respect that.
“Brian Murphy and Rommy Boco will both come back into the squad, while Caolan Lavery is also available.
“You’ll always lose one or two guys along the way, but we’re really pleased with the depth of our squad.”
Watch Cook’s thoughts on the Blues’ match at Newport below or subscribe to Pompey PlayerHD for the full interview.