Davies: Time for Pompey to push the tempo

BEN DAVIES demanded Pompey maintain their ferocity to fire their promotion bid.
Pompey full-back Ben Davies Picture: Joe PeplerPompey full-back Ben Davies Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey full-back Ben Davies Picture: Joe Pepler

Paul Cook’s side go to struggling Yeovil tomorrow looking to build on the impetus created by victory over promotion rivals Bristol Rovers.

The challenge is for the Blues to go on a winning run with 17 games remaining in the League Two campaign.

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To do that, they need to turn over a Glovers side desperate for results in their bid to stay in the Football League.

Pompey know teams above them in the table will be dropping points tomorrow, with league leaders Northampton meeting fifth-placed Wycombe.

Third-placed Oxford United also welcome Accrington Stanley, who lie in fourth, to the Kassam Stadium.

A fast start set the pattern for victory against Rovers at Fratton Park last weekend.

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With Davies restored to the starting XI, the right-back set the tempo with a man-of-the-match performance.

He is insistent Pompey now have to rip into teams in similar fashion if the campaign is going to be successful.

Davies said: ‘We should be getting out of this league.

‘But we must play at the tempo we played last Saturday.

‘Anything less than that and we are not going to be winning.

‘We have got 17 games now and we need to make a conscious effort that the pace and the ferocity we showed against Bristol Rovers is the same every game.

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‘Obviously, it’s hard when you are playing Saturday, Tuesday but that is why the gaffer has brought in the quality of players he has to the club. We have got to be at it again.

‘We have sat down with the gaffer and the mindset is that the next game is the most important, be all and end all.

‘That’s Yeovil and this week we have been doing everything to prepare to put in a performance like we did last Saturday.

‘It’s not always going to go your way, but one thing you have to guarantee is that you turn up and have a go.’

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The clash with Yeovil marks the start of a frenetic period of the campaign for Pompey, with seven games arriving in the space of 21 days.

Of those opponents, only Accrington currently find themselves in the shake-up for promotion.

Davies acknowledged, however, his team have often failed to put away sides they would have been expected to defeat.

The 34-year-old knows Yeovil will be fired up for the occasion at Huish Park – and the Blues have to match that desire, before letting their ability tell.

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‘Those (struggling teams) are probably the toughest games we have had so far this season,’ said Davies.

‘When teams are bang up for it, you need to match them and if we can match their intensity then hopefully our quality will shine through.’