Skipper says Blues are ready to pounce
Pompey have spent a large part of the season in fourth spot.
But they will finish the weekend inside the automatic promotion places with victory at Crawley, if Carlisle fail to beat Accrington.
Michael Doyle insists that the Blues can only focus on their own performance, however, and will not fret about the outcome of other results.
And the skipper knows there has to be an improvement on the last away match at Doncaster.
He said: “We went to the side who were top of the league and the aggressors. We took the game to them and got caught on the counter, which was frustrating.
“Those are the things that you try to learn from, but we haven’t had too much disappointment lately and have got ourselves into a great position.
“If we win on Saturday and results go our way then we could possibly be in the top three – but the important thing for us is just trying to win our own game and not worry about anyone else.
“It’s a good chance for us to get back to winning ways away from home, although it’s going to be tough.
“We turned up at Crawley last season and they got everyone behind the ball, but I think it will be a different game on Saturday.
“They seem to try to play a bit when they’re at home, so we expect them to come out and have a go, which should make for a better match.
“We’ve done our homework on them and know how effective they are on their own patch, but we’re ready for the challenge.
“We’re winning more games than we’re losing at the moment and so we just want to keep that run going.”
Pompey have missed their last three penalties, with Conor Chaplin, Gary Roberts and Kal Naismith all failing from the spot in recent weeks.
Doyle said: “I’m more than happy to step up. I’ve taken penalties before at Coventry and Sheffield United, but I think there are a few more attacking players who will be straight over if we win one.”