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Fixture News

Cowley: Now To Find Fluency

Boss looks ahead to AFC Wimbledon test

18 November 2021

Danny Cowley
Photo: Graham Hunt
Fixture News

Cowley: Now To Find Fluency

Boss looks ahead to AFC Wimbledon test

18 November 2021

Pompey had to show their battling qualities in order to secure all three points at Wycombe last week.

Now Danny Cowley wants to see his side at their attacking best when AFC Wimbledon pay a visit to the south coast on Saturday.

The hosts have been in good form of late and are looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Their next opponents are down in 18th position, although Cowley believes they will provide a real threat.

The Blues boss said: “We were rightly proud of our efforts last Saturday because we showed a real spirit and togetherness to win a game in a different way.

“But now we would like to find a bit more control, rhythm and fluency in our offensive play, which is something you can’t always do when you go away from home.

“If we defend well as a team, then there will always be moments on the transition and we can be a real threat.

“We’ve got a lot of respect for AFC Wimbledon, but it is a very different side that we’re playing against.

“They’re young and recruited really aggressively over the summer, perhaps changing their strategy a bit.

"Now we would like to find a bit more control, rhythm and fluency in our offensive play, which is something you can’t always do when you go away from home."

Danny Cowley

“At the top end of the pitch, they’ve got some of the best attacking players in the division. We’ll need to be atthe top of our game to get the right result.”

Gavin Bazunu is available again after returning from international duty, but his replacement Alex Bass produced a superb display against Wycombe.

Cowley said: “These are the kind of decisions you’re pleased to be able to make because you want competition.

“There haven’t been enough of those tough choices to make since I arrived at Portsmouth Football Club.

“It’s probably the strongest area of our team and it was a super performance from Alex at Wycombe, while Gavin has been away on international duty and kept a couple of clean sheets.

“Telling either of them that they’re not playing certainly won’t be easy. We’ll try to make the best decision for the team.”

Cowley was remaining tight-lipped over whether Reeco Hackett or John Marquis have recovered from the injuries that saw them miss the trip to Adams Park.

He said: “We’ve got some injuries that provide a challenge for us and went to Wycombe with a very young bench.

“But sometimes when you do have players unavailable, then it gives others a chance to make the step up.”


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