Pre-season results mean little to assistant manager
Pompey’s Irish tour came to an end with a 2-0 victory at Bohemians.
Danny Rose and Conor Chaplin were on target against the top-flight outfit in a game that the Blues dominated.
The outcome is not something that Leam Richardson will be keen to dwell on for too long, however.
He is more concerned about the players getting fitter and preparing themselves for the League Two campaign that starts next month.
Pompey’s assistant manager said: “We’ve been pleased with how it’s gone throughout the week and the people at the Johnstown Hotel have looked after us well.
“The lads have applied themselves in training and we had a particularly tough session on Friday, so it’s pleasing that the lads still had energy for the game.
“It’s not really about the results in pre-season – it’s about new lads getting to know each other and getting back into good habits.
“It’s about building those relationships on the pitch and getting the basics right ahead of the new season.
“The structure’s already in place for next week and it’s going to be tough, with the Havant & Waterlooville game coming in the middle of that.”
Ben Close, Tom Davies and Curtis Main all missed the game, but Richardson does not think the trio will be sidelined for long.
He said: “Ben has got a tight hamstring, while Curtis has got a tight quad and Tom had a bit of a back spasm on Friday.
“Hopefully we’ve come through this game with no new injuries and they’ll all be fit by the next game.”
Watch Richardson's thoughts on the game below or subscribe to Pompey PlayerHD for more reaction.
Watch Richardson's thoughts on the game below or subscribe to Pompey PlayerHD for more reaction.