Boss looks ahead to Grimsby test
Paul Cook hopes that Pompey can lift their blues at Grimsby this weekend.
A two-week gap between fixtures should mean that his side are in tip-top shape ahead of the Blundell Park clash.
But it has also given them time to stew on a poor performance and result against Stevenage in their last outing.
And Cook knows that Pompey need to put that out of their minds if they are to return to winning ways.
The Blues boss said: “We were doing well and were four games unbeaten looking forward to a little break, but it all went wrong against Stevenage.
“In a heartbeat we’ve gone from feeling so positive about ourselves to so negative. It’s been a difficult couple of weeks.
“We’re an inconsistent team at the moment – on some days we’re very good and on others we look bad.
“The sooner we can eradicate that and perhaps find some kind of middle ground, the better it will be for us all.
“You have to pick yourself up, although it’s hard after a defeat. It takes a bit of time, but we’re over it now and looking forward to facing Grimsby.
“We’re fourth in the league and we’re doing the best we can to get promoted, but there’s still a long way to go.”
Pompey face a Grimsby side who won the National League play-offs last term and are currently just two points adrift of the top seven.
Cook said: “The games are coming thick and fast, and one of the first things I learnt about Pompey is that we are the biggest show in town – it will be no different on Saturday.
“Marcus Bignot has gone in at Grimsby, picked the reins up and is acting like he’s been manager for years.
“They’re in a very strong place and are doing well, so we know it’s going to be a tough game for us on Saturday.
“There are some big players there like Omar Bogle, but I think we’ll just concentrate on ourselves.”
Pompey do not have too many fitness concerns ahead of their first trip to Grimsby in 14 years.
Cook said: “The lads have trained really well, but Jack Whatmough is struggling with a tight hamstring and Curtis Main is still out.”
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