Consistency is a word that has been flying around Fratton Park this season.
All of Pompey’s League One victories so far have been followed by a defeat, so the omens are not necessarily on their side this weekend.
Kenny Jackett’s men will try to end that hoodoo when they host Oldham on the back of a midweek defeat of Bristol Rovers.
And his second in command is confident they can record a second successive victory against a side sitting 23rd in the table.
But Joe Gallen does not expect an easy rise against a Latics outfit currently led by Richie Wellens following the departure of John Sheridan at the start of the week.
Pompey’s assistant manager said: “It looks like anyone can beat anyone – Oldham won against a Peterborough side who were flying on Tuesday night.
“We’ve followed some decent performances with some poor ones and consistency is a word we hear everyone using.
“That’s something we have to find if we want to be successful this season, but I’m confident we can do that.
"Consistency is a word we hear everyone using."
“A new manager can come in and bring a different style and a different philosophy from the previous one.
“But the players haven’t changed and Oldham have got some dangerous guys in their squad, who we’ve done our homework on.
“There’s a lot of experience and we have to make sure we look after their attacking players to make sure they don’t score.”
Brett Pitman bagged a brace against Rovers to take his tally for the season to eight goals from just 10 league games.
Gallen said: “It gives you a lift because you don’t need to be playing particularly well and he can still pop up to score.
“That’s not a shock to anyone, though, because he’s been doing it for the past 10 years and we believe he’ll continue to do it in the future.
“It doesn’t take many chances for him to score and if you create a clear-cut opportunity, he’s likely to take it.”
Conor Chaplin (hamstring) and Damien McCrory (knee) were both sidelined on Tuesday and will probably miss out again.
Gallen said: “We’ll check on Friday and both are close, but it looks like the game will come just too soon for both of them.
“It’s probably more likely to be the Checkatrade Trophy game on Tuesday or Gillingham away the following weekend.
“A few players are carrying knocks, but that’s something that always happens when you have a lot of games.
“It’s up to the physio to bandage them up and get them back out there, and everyone who was involved against Bristol Rovers should be fit for selection again.”