Pompey 2 Newport 0 - Gaffer for the day

Another crucial win then?
Kyle Bennett celebrates scoring his goal against Newport County. Picture: Joe PeplerKyle Bennett celebrates scoring his goal against Newport County. Picture: Joe Pepler
Kyle Bennett celebrates scoring his goal against Newport County. Picture: Joe Pepler

I’m delighted. People say at this stage of the season results not displays matter, but that would be harsh on Pompey.

We thoroughly deserved the win and created enough chances in the opening 65 minutes.

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It was nervy in the end but credit to the players – and credit to Newport as well, they did get us worried.

The important thing, however, is we held on. In a must-win game we got our victory.

This is very much in our own hands now. Just keep going!

A fitting result for Paul Cook on his 100th Pompey game?

Our manager must have been very happy looking at the table on Saturday night and seeing that six-point cushion.

To have won almost half of those games is superb, even though elements of the crowd have been unduly negative to what he has done.

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There is an expectation that because we have gates of 17,000 we should be able to roll everyone over, which is an idiotic belief.

Cook has been brilliant for our club. We are really lucky he decided to drop down a division from Chesterfield.

I have never left a match saying he’s not the one and confident he will be managing us in League One next season.

Who stood out for you?

Kyle Bennett was my man of the match. He was full of energy and settled nerves with the crucial first goal.

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Last season a few people near me in the Fratton end didn’t have the highest opinion of him, but I always thought he had potential.

Since returning to the side at Wycombe he has played really well – not just his goals but his all-round play.

He is such a positive player who maybe last season could be accused of running down blind alleys.

And credit to the fans too?

Yes, I was really pleased to see the reaction when Jennison Myrie-Williams went down injured.

There was an idiotic attempt to play sirens on the bugle, but fans booed and instead applauded the injured player.

It looked like he had an elbow in his windpipe and was gulping for air.