Paul Cook: There's no answer to Pompey inconsistencies

Instead Paul Cook is focusing on the forthcoming matches which will dictate the Blues’ promotion hopes.

Cook’s side have been worryingly erratic in their displays since the turn of the year.

Outstanding in the FA Cup against Ipswich and Bournemouth, yet very poor versus Oxford United and Leyton Orient.

On Saturday they turned in another below-par display at Yeovil – just seven days following an outstanding victory over Bristol Rovers.

At Huish Park, however, Gary Roberts’ late leveller avoided defeat.

Pompey face Barnet tonight (7.45pm) in another game key to their aspirations of leaving League Two.

Yet in the build-up, Cook has refused to dig deep in a bid to uncover the cause of their hot and cold form.

He said: ‘Now is not the time for me to analyse what we have done.

‘The inconsistency is there, the late goals we have conceded are there, you are not changing it. There are 16 games to go, so let’s do something about them.

‘Any team who wins an amount of games will be promoted, this league is that tight. If you are going to think about your problems rather than being positive then you’ll find yourself in a bad position.

‘We have got the ability to win as many games as any other team in this league – and we have to do it.

‘What can we do about what has happened? What has gone has gone, that’s football.

‘I just want to concentrate on Barnet tonight and hopefully getting three points that will see us in a great position.

‘These days, through the media in general, we are looking for answers to questions minutes after the game ends. I prefer to concentrate on footy for 16 games.’

Although Cook has declined to probe into the inconsistency, he is adamant there is no simple solution.

He added: ‘There is no answer to the inconsistency, you are looking for me to give an opinion on something I haven’t got an opinion on.

‘I would be a rocket scientist working for NASA if I could understand it.

‘Go and ask Alan Pardew how Palace have gone six league games without winning and then knocked Spurs out of the FA Cup.

‘Give him a shout – and if he can give you the answer ask him to tell me!’