Boss looks ahead to Wycombe clash
There has been a buoyant mood around Fratton Park following Pompey’s run of three successive league victories.
With 40 games of the 2016/17 campaign remaining, however, Paul Cook is not about to get carried away on a wave of euphoria.
He will want his men to continue their impressive run when Wycombe visit the south coast on Saturday.
But Cook knows there are no guarantees against a side who have made a slow start to the season.
The Blues boss said: “This isn’t a game where you can say ‘this is what we have to do and that means this will happen’. It doesn’t work like that.
“We go into this weekend on the back of a good performance, but before that there were a couple of indifferent ones.
“The big thing is how well we play on Saturday and not worrying too much about what Wycombe do because we can’t affect that.
“It’s a long season for everyone, but we’re looking forward to the next game and it’s one, as ever, we’ll be trying to get three points from.
“I don’t go on too much about when we win, just the same as I don’t when we lose. The most important match is the next one.
“The biggest thing for us is how we manage disappointment because every side loses football games at some stage.”
The Chairboys have a long injury list and are currently down in 22nd position, having won just one League Two fixture so far.
Cook said: “They’re a very strong side backed up by a very strong manager.
“Wycombe have had a couple of impressive seasons since that famous time they stayed up at Torquay on the final day.
“They’re a side who are constantly knocking on the door of the top echelons of our league and we know it’s going to be a tough test.
“We’re only six games into the season, so while I’m sure they’d like to have a few more points, you don’t get too high or too low this early on.”
Pompey will be without Drew Talbot on Saturday, with the defender set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Cook said: “He’ll be out for six to eight weeks and that’s a big blow for us, but it’s part of the game and something we have to manage.
“It provides someone else with an opportunity. Adam Buxton’s now just days away from fitness and if Gareth Evans produces a performance like last week then I’m not so sure we need a right-back!”
Tickets are still available for Saturday’s clash, which kicks-off at 3pm. Click here to secure your seat.