Midfielder says differing styles needed
Danny Rose has called on Pompey to be more flexible as they go in search of a second win of the season.
The Blues beat Colchester at Fratton Park last Saturday, having collected two points from the previous three matches.
They will now look to build on that by collecting a maximum haul when they travel to Exeter this weekend.
And Rose feels that Pompey have to alter their style if they want to break teams down on a regular basis.
The midfielder said: “It was good to get that first win out of the way and there was a feeling of relief rather than joy.
“There was a bit of pressure, although I don’t think that should come as a surprise when you’re at a club as big as this one.
“Exeter had their first victory as well last Saturday, but they had a cup game during the week, so we should be a bit fresher.
“When we’re away then there’s an onus on our opponents to come out a little bit more, so hopefully it will be a bit more open.
“We’ve worked on a few things this week and know what we’re going to come up against.
“Sometimes a long ball can work rather than taking 10 or 15 passes, while there are times when you can pass your way through teams.
“We’re trying to get that balance right and want to kick on from last week’s result by getting another win.”
Rose came close to opening his goalscoring account against Colchester with a shot that was well saved by Sam Walker.
But he knows that there will be occasions when he has to place defensive responsibility above attacking desires.
Rose said: “I have to pick and choose the right times to go. Sometimes Michael Doyle can tuck in and go more central, which allows me to wander a bit nearer the opposition box.
“When sides sit as deep as Colchester did, then the midfielders might not track a run from deep and that could make the difference.
“But when the game becomes more open and stretched, it’s wiser to sit there with the two and be more solid.”