Cook calls for clinical Pompey at fortress Fratton

Let's get clinical.
Pompey boss Paul Cook   Picture: Joe PeplerPompey boss Paul Cook   Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey boss Paul Cook Picture: Joe Pepler

That’s the message from Pompey boss Paul Cook to his players ahead of Notts County’s visit to Fratton Park tomorrow (3pm).

The Blues head into their match with the Magpies eager to bounce back from a first home defeat this term – suffered at the hands of Doncaster earlier this month.

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Key to Cook’s side’s chances of rediscovering Fortress Fratton, though, is their ability to put the ball in the back of the net.

Pompey have routinely outgunned their opponents in terms of chances created, only to fall short of the victory their efforts merited.

That was again the case at Plymouth last weekend when the Blues had 14 efforts on the Pilgrims goal to the hosts’ eight, only to draw the encounter 2-2.

For Cook, though, it is the fixtures his front four fall flat in that provide the most pain.

‘Those statistics cannot continue,’ said Cook.

‘You rely on your players.

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‘And we had enough opportunities in the second half at Plymouth to put them away comfortably.

‘But we never took them.

‘It will always come back to hurt you.

‘But I don’t beat myself up about that.

‘I beat myself up at the games at Crewe and Accrington where we don’t look like scoring – that’s when I beat myself up.

‘I can’t understand why.

‘But tomorrow we must be at our best to put our chances away.’