Pompey midfielder: How we get there we don't care

Danny Rose in action during Pompey's 2-1 win against Newport County. Picture: Joe Pepler

‘It wasn’t a pretty one, but as the fans sing ‘We are on our way, how we get there we don’t care,’ said the midfielder.

‘That is pretty much the players’ mentality at the moment.

‘The performance takes a little bit of a back seat.

‘We all know if the results come we will be celebrating at the end of the season.’

A comfortable 2-0 cruise over Newport County was transformed into a nerve-racking 2-1 victory following Alex Samuel’s 76th minute goal.

Jack Whatmough was thrown on and the Blues had to combat late pressure to retain their advantage.

But win, they did, in Paul Cook’s 100th match in charge to extend their cushion in the third automatic spot.

And for Rose, the outcome, rather than how it was achieved, was imperative.

He said: ‘It was one of those where the performance in terms of the quality sometimes is secondary, it is obviously about the result.

‘We have to make sure we don’t concede goals early and our record shows when we have taken the lead we have a great ratio winning ratio.

‘We know if we are at it in terms of our tempo, pressing and limiting teams to opportunities, then it is up to the front lads and midfield players and create and we will be okay.

‘That is what happened on Saturday – and we won.

‘Admittedly, Newport pulled a goal back and it gave them a bit of hope.

‘It was the second phase of a corner, which we have been caught out a few of times over the last couple of months and something we have worked on.

‘The manner in which we conceded that goal was disappointing – and Newport were always going to throw caution to the wind in the latter stages of the game, given their position.

‘We were very disappointed we let them get a foothold in the game, it just gave them a sniff and the feeling they could get something.

‘At 2-0 they must have felt the game was probably done and dusted. Even with quite a bit of time to go, you could see they were quite dejected and down.

‘To get the third goal would have been nice and then enjoy the last 30 minutes.

‘Instead we let them back into the game a little bit.

‘Newport had a little more relief and made it difficult for us, but we held on in the end.’

Following Stevenage’s goalless draw at Cambridge United, Pompey are now six points clear in third place.

With seven matches remaining, they are also eight points clear of Blackpool and Luton.

– NEIL ALLEN