Boss looks ahead to Doncaster test
Pompey head to the League Two leaders in impressive form.
Paul Cook’s side face Doncaster in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Thursday evening having lost just one of their past 10 fourth tier fixtures.
The most recent of those saw fellow promotion hopefuls Luton beaten on home soil on Bank Holiday Monday.
But Cook is more concerned with the challenge that lies in wait rather than past achievements.
The Blues boss said: “It was so important that we won in front of our own fans at Fratton Park the other day.
“But previous games count for nothing and it’s the ones ahead that we’re fully focused on now.
“If you think about points dropped and where we could be then you end up feeling quite negative.
“But I keep saying the same thing – the league table at the end of the season is the most important thing.
“Any team in the table should have aspirations to do better and it’s only really Doncaster who can’t do that.”
Rovers returned to the summit following victory over Stevenage on Monday and Cook believes they have the right man in charge at the Keepmoat Stadium.
He said: “I’m not quite sure you can they’re the best team in the league at the minute, but Darren Ferguson has done a fantastic job there and I’ve got a lot of time for him.
“He is an experienced manager despite his being a relatively young one and obviously the family background helps.
“He’s won promotions in the past and has put together a fantastic team – anyone who finishes above Doncaster this season will be promoted.
“It will be a good game on Thursday because it usually is when you’ve got two teams who want to play football.
“We have a belief among the players and staff – and hopefully the supporters – that we can go to these places and do well.
“I’m looking forward to the game – there are no tired bodies or any of that nonsense with us!”
Watch Cook’s thoughts on the game below or subscribe to Pompey PlayerHD for full pre-match content.