Cook: Pompey need to stay calm

The Blues boss admitted his side became anxious during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Morecambe and warned his players not to allow frustration to kick in.

‘We get tense because we’re not winning, we get anxious because we’re not winning,’ said Cook.

‘There’s a lot of adjectives you could use around the fact we’re not winning.

‘You’ve got to be careful that doesn’t lead to frustration.’

Pompey dominated for large periods on Tuesday night but were unable to make a breakthrough until Kal Naismith’s effort in the 64th minute. Cook, though, isn’t concerned.

Cook said: ‘I think we had 26 chances on goal, but you’ll always be critical. Everyone will.

‘You can only create that many chances and get lads in those positions to know what we’ve got to do.

‘I think (Barry) Roche has made a couple of great saves with his feet in the first half, certainly the one when Gareth Evans is in. That was a great chance for Gareth.’

Despite the missed chances, promotion remains in Pompey’s hands and a win against Crewe coupled with Carlisle losing or drawing at Plymouth would put Cook’s side in the top three.

‘We’ll just keep working away,’ he said

‘Just keep going. It’s a long season and come the end of the season, for me, you get your rewards - not now with 13 games to go.’