Cup kings US Portsmouth searching for consistency to mount Wessex League Division One title challenge

Glenn Turnbull conceded US Portsmouth must start performing on a more consistent basis or face missing out on a Wessex League Division One title challenge this season.
US Portsmouth's George Root is self-isolating. Picture: Duncan ShepherdUS Portsmouth's George Root is self-isolating. Picture: Duncan Shepherd
US Portsmouth's George Root is self-isolating. Picture: Duncan Shepherd

USP have pulled off some fine results in cup competitions but have failed to replicate that form in the league.

The club's past two results portray what has been a familiar picture in the current campaign.

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A 2-1 home defeat to Ringwood Town in the league last weekend was followed by a 1-0 victory against Wessex Premier outfit Brockenhurst in the League Cup at the Victory Stadium in midweek.

That added to impressive cup victories over both AFC Portchester and Tadley Calleva already recorded this season.

But three defeats in seven league matches so far has left USP off the pace in the title race - sitting 14 points off leaders Laverstock & Ford in sixth.

Now Turnbull has told his team to find a more consistent performance level or face falling short in their title quest.

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‘It’s all very well beating Brockenhurst, Portchty (AFC Portchester), Tadley Calleva and our pre-season wins over teams in the Premier Division but it counts for nothing if you get beat by Ringwood at home,’ conceded Turnbull.

‘It’s fundamentally what we’ve got to do is start winning the games that you may not class as a big tie and start our season.

‘I don’t know if it’s when we’re playing Ringwood all they thing they’ve got to do is turn up.

'But it doesn’t feel that way, the warm-up feels like we’re engaging, the chat in the dressing room the same as well.

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‘We’ve just got to trust their abilities and trust the squad we’ve got.’

Turnbull has a mounting absentees list ahead what is a big week for US Portsmouth.

Elliott Turnbull, Harry Bedford and Frakie Paige remain sidelined with injuries while George Root and Josh Hazell are currently self-isolating.

Added to that, Dan Sibley is a doubt for Saturday's trip to face Newport and Andy Todd is unavailable.

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The Isle of Wight outfit are the division's form team and it doesn't get easier with a midweek trip to Bemerton Heath and next weekend's FA Vase tie against Wessex Premier Bournemouth Poppies to follow.

But Turnbull is hoping his squad can rise to the challenges ahead.

‘I think Newport are top of the form league, Bemerton are third and then we’ve got the FA Vase against a side who are in the Premier Division and on paper they are favourites,’ he added.

‘But it doesn’t get any easier after that really (after that).

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'You’re then into Andover New Street and Hythe and before you know it you’re into Christmas.

'All we can do is control the controllables, manage what you can and don’t worry about the things you can’t.'

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