Mullins: We will get stronger
Hayden Mullins shrugged off Pompey's low-key return to England after they edged a narrow win over Bournemouth and insisted: Don't judge us yet.
The versatile Blues star was deployed in a centre-back role for the short trip to Dorset and looked at home alongside Marc Wilson in the Pompey back four.
But while the game was hardly an eye-catching spectacle, Mullins believes Pompey are still feeling the effects of the arduous North America tour and is confident Steve Cotterill's side will now look fitter and sharper as the new season approaches.
Mullins said: 'The trip was a real drain on the lads. But we got the win and that was the most important thing for us.
'The trip was pretty hard on everyone and we're re-adjusting back to England again. I think a few of the lads are still feeling jet-lagged by it all so it's pretty hard on everyone.
'But it feels better to get 90 minutes under your belt again and feel a bit fresher.
'I'm sure we will get stronger and stronger from here.
'I'm sure things will start coming together before the Coventry game and we will be okay.
'We only got back on Monday morning so it will take a little while to get that out of our systems.
'Bournemouth are a decent side and they've been together a while now. They had a good campaign last season to get promoted and I'm sure they will do well again this season.
'It was a good run-out for us and we're pleased to get the win. We will be judged on our results when the season starts in the Championship.
'But we've got some intensive work to do between now and that first game and I'm sure there will be a few new faces coming in as well.
'We can't judge anything yet because there is a couple of weeks to go before the season starts.'
While it's understandable Pompey looked short of energy and fitness after their gruelling trip, perhaps more worrying is the lack of numbers for Cotterill to choose from.
The Blues boss named just three outfield substitutes, with new on-loan defender Ibrahima Sonko unable to feature because he was not registered in time.
Mullins said: 'We've still got some quality players in the dressing room and we've got players who have played in the division before.
'But every club needs a good squad of players and we're no different.
'The manager is working hard on what he can to try to bring in a few more bodies. But that's down to him to get that side of things right as much as he can.
'All we can do is concentrate on what we do and try to get results.'
Mullins added: 'We need to get into that winning habit and sometimes it doesn't matter how you play. If we can do that on a regular basis, we'll be happy with that.
'I'm still confident looking ahead to the new season. Everyone has taken to the new manager and is enjoying how he is working.
'We had to do the trip and it's not been ideal preparation but we've still got time to get ourselves ready for the season.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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