Boss looking up ahead of Stevenage test
There was a huge sense of frustration when Pompey conceded a late leveller at Exeter earlier in the week.
But Paul Cook is calling for a wave of positivity for the final 13 games of the season.
His side currently occupy a play-off spot in the League Two table ahead of Saturday’s visit to 20th-placed Stevenage.
And Cook is more concerned with trying to break into the top three than worry about those sides chasing them.
The Blues boss said: “We have nothing to be down about – we’re fifth in the league and we’re trying to get promoted.
“The lads are giving us everything they’ve got and now it’s important that they get guided – which is an important job for me and our supporters.
“Sometimes players need to be told how good they are, rather than how bad they are. We’ve scored more goals late on this season than we’ve conceded.
“This club has come a long way in a short period of time and it’s important that we stay positive in the run-in.
“We want our supporters thinking that we’re going to score again, rather than hanging on to 1-0 leads.
“We went to Plymouth, Luton Bristol Rovers and Northampton and won by scoring goals and dominating games, so the sooner we get back to that, the better.
“No-one’s been promoted or relegated yet and the thing you have to do is believe – if you don’t believe then it won’t happen.
“We could end up being promoted automatically, we could end up at Wembley or we could not make the play-offs, but why would we want to concentrate on the latter?”
Pompey travel to the Lamex Stadium to face a Boro side who are looking to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.
Cook said: “We appreciate what Stevenage will bring to the game and respect them, but we just want to focus on ourselves.
“We need to start on the front foot, look to create a lot of chances and play the way we feel football should be played.”
Watch Cook’s thoughts on the game below or subscribe to Pompey PlayerHD for extended interviews with the manager and Conor Chaplin.