Hard work and discipline were the key ingredients for Pompey’s latest League One victory.
Ben Close’s first Fratton strike and a Brett Pitman penalty secured a 2-1 Boxing Day win over AFC Wimbledon.
Played in terrible conditions, Danny Rose conceded that it was not exactly the most entertaining of contests.
But the midfielder was pleased with the outcome, which helped the Blues move back up to seventh in the table.
He said: “It wasn’t a spectacle for the fans to watch in terms of free-flowing football.
“We tried to get the ball down and play when we could and I certainly thought we were able to do that in spells.
"A lot of work goes on at the training ground to make sure we all know our shape."
“But ultimately it was about getting back to winning ways after the disappointment of losing at Shrewsbury a few days earlier.
“We’re well drilled and organised. A lot of work goes on at the training ground to make sure we all know our shape.
“Being organised, resolute and keeping clean sheets – which we’ve done quite a lot recently – gives you a solid base to build on.”
Rose was a member of the Northampton side that secured the League One title in 2016 and Pompey host the struggling Cobblers on Saturday.
The midfielder said: “I always look forward to seeing a few familiar faces, but at the end of the day it’s treated like any other game.
“We’ve played them twice already this season, so it’s nothing special and hopefully we can get the job done.
“Our home form has been really pleasing over the course over the season and we want to back that up with another win to put pressure on the teams above us.”