Less is more for caretaker boss

GARY WADDOCK is planning to take a low-maintenance approach to Pompey’s finale to the season.
Gary Waddock, left, with former Pompey manager Andy AwfordGary Waddock, left, with former Pompey manager Andy Awford
Gary Waddock, left, with former Pompey manager Andy Awford

The Blues’ caretaker boss underlined the limitations of the impact he can have on the side over the remaining three games in League Two.

Waddock assumed control of the first-team squad, along with Paul Hardyman on Monday, after Andy Awford was removed from the manager’s post.

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The former Oxford United boss was pleased with the response of the players to the turmoil of a managerial departure at Stevenage.

Gary Waddock, left, with former Pompey manager Andy AwfordGary Waddock, left, with former Pompey manager Andy Awford
Gary Waddock, left, with former Pompey manager Andy Awford

Despite a 1-0 loss, Pompey showed a desire not to capitulate at the Lamex Stadium – the first of four games Waddock and first-team coach Hardyman has been placed in charge for.

Waddock is philosophical about what he can do in terms of shaking the team up, and acknowledged keeping it simple is the best approach.

‘What can you do in four games?,’ he said.

‘You want to win all four, of course, but what can you do?

‘What can you do when a manager goes on Monday and you have to prepare a team for Tuesday?

‘Let’s be honest and frank, it’s not an ideal situation.

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‘It’s not ideal that someone who you respect loses their job with four games to go.

‘It’s not what anyone wanted, for sure, but we have to deal with it.

‘Yes, keeping it simple may be the best way.

‘We’ll do the best we can in the short period we have been asked to take control of the team.’

High-flying Bury arrive at Fratton Park tomorrow with ambitions of securing an automatic promotion spot.

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They are four points off the top three with a game in hand, making it a crucial clash for the Shakers.

Waddock believes the time to assess the disappointments of the season will come later, with Pompey still having three games in which they must compete.

‘The players have to make sure they prepare for the game,’ he added.

‘They don’t want to let themselves down.

‘Over the course of this season could they have done better?

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‘That’s a question they will ask themselves at the end of the season.

‘All we can do is prepare them for a tough game against Bury.

‘On Tuesday evening there was a reaction to a difficult situation.

‘We now have to carry that forward to the game against Bury.

‘We are professional and we get on with it.’