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Davis: We won't lose focus



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Published Date:
04 October 2008
Pompey have pledged not to let their season be distracted by their UEFA Cup heroics.
That's the vow from Sean Davis ahead of tomorrow's resumption of their Premier League campaign.

Harry Redknapp's side host newly-promoted Stoke City at Fratton Park still buoyant from their historic Portuguese triumph.

Peter Crouch's extra-time double clinched a famous two-legged win over Vitoria Guimaraes to send them into the UEFA Cup group stage.

With the draw not until Tuesday, all focus will now be on the visit of Tony Pulis' men.

For the Blues it's the perfect opportunity to end a gruelling schedule of seven games in 23 days on a high going into the international week.

And Davis has promised the players will not be resting on their European laurels going into it.

He said: 'Portugal was great but it's important now to focus on Stoke, you look ahead not behind.

'It's gone now. Finished. We made quite hard work of it, they showed what a good side they were in the first half and it showed great character from the lads to come back.

'We can actually learn from that and take it into Stoke and probably keep the ball a lot better, get it wide and into the box.

'But that was Thursday and we will definitely not be distracted tomorrow, I don't think anyone will be.

'Obviously the games come thick and fast now but with international week coming up, if we can just give it one last push and get a home win against Stoke then we should be alright.

'They've had a decent start so we are not going to take them lightly. It's going to be hard work.

'They have probably watched our game against Guimaraes and been glad it's gone into extra time but we've got a lot of fit lads and a good squad.

'We're certainly not going to get carried away by what happened in the week, though.'

Pompey will tomorrow be without the suspended Lassana Diarra while Papa Bouba Diop is still out with a hamstring problem.

That will keep Davis and Richard Hughes at the heart of midfield against the Potters.

The former Tottenham player has only just recovered from a groin injury but is confident his fitness will not be a problem.

He said: 'My fitness is 100 per cent.

'I've rested and worked hard to get back so it's fine now. I'm looking forward to the next game.

'On a personal note, Guimaraes wasn't the best of games for me but hopefully I can have a better game tomorrow.'

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The full article contains 457 words and appears in The News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 06 October 2008 7:14 AM
  • Source: The News
  • Location: Portsmouth
 
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1

Pompey_in_Australia,

sydney 04/10/2008 09:44:40
WELL! 67% think we'll get through group stages! awesome lets have a crack .. in reality you never know when the chance will come again...we've waited a long time to get this farlets go for it, we should be able to maintain top-half status at the same time...PUP
2

phill2935,

04/10/2008 09:53:36
Roll your sleeves up and show us on the pitch, words are cheap. pup pompey 2 stoke 1
3

norberto,

04/10/2008 13:43:15
Anyone notice what was missing from the team that came out in the second half the other night and showed all that fight? John Utaka. That's who. Think about that one Harry.
4

tom-haustead-pfc,

04/10/2008 15:27:54
think we can do well in europe and make top 10, but not challenge for europe again and have a run in europe at the same time.
5

thommo-senior,

Kiti 04/10/2008 15:45:57
Have Pompey now been involved in a new historicle record, in that they started a match on Thursday and finished it on Friday!!? Has this happend to anyone before?
6

Dave,

IOW 04/10/2008 16:32:14
Most probably as most games in spain/portugal kick off at half nine. im sure its not the first time a cup match there has gone to extra time
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