Pompey 3-1 Northampton: they said what?

Here’s what those closest to the action had to say about the Blues’ victory.

Joe Gallen – Pompey assistant manager

It’s another three points for us and I’m very pleased and it helps us along with our tally.

In particular, I’m very pleased with a very good attacking performance. Some of the games at home we haven’t created as many chances as we would have liked but I couldn’t say that today.

We created numerous chances, especially in the second half, and maybe three hasn’t done us justice.

But even if it was a narrow 1-0 victory we would still be very pleased.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – via northamptonchron.co.uk

I thought we started the game very well and played good football.

We had more of the game. They had the first chance that came from a second ball but I think we did well.

In the wide areas we overloaded, we had two-on-ones and three-on-ones and in midfield we dominated and then we scored a brilliant goal, something we had worked on.

You want to go into the dressing room 1-0 and if you go in 1-0 or even 1-1, you have a chance, but the second goal was a freak goal and well-taken by the boy and then we are well up against it.

Confidence is low and you could see that in the second-half.

Oli Hawkins

It took us a while to get going but we played some really good stuff and it was great to get back among the goals again as a striker.

We don’t know the full extent of Danny Rose’s injury at this stage but we’re hoping he’ll be back soon.

He’s been so important to us and is a great guy to have around the club.

Neil Allen - The News’ chief sports writer

Pompey ended a magnificent year on an even greater high by breaking into the play-off positions.

It took conceding a goal against Northampton to kick-start them into action but eventually they ran out deserved 3-1 winners.

Oli Hawkins, Matty Kennedy and Dion Donohue excelled on their recalls, although the result was marred by a suspected broken leg to Danny Rose.

Will Rooney – Pompey reporter

It was almost the perfect way to sign off 2017 for Pompey.

Promotion, League Two champions and new ownership means it has been a year to savour for the Fratton faithful.

They delivered a convincing performance against struggling Northampton, with Oli Hawkins making a successful return to his striking role and Matty Kennedy producing quality when being recalled into the team for Jamal Lowe.

The victory moved Kenny Jackett’s side into the play-offs for the first time this season and promotion is now becoming a realistic aim.

Yet the success has been tarnished by a suspected serious injury to fans’ favourite Danny Rose, a key player in the team who have now won nine of their past 11 matches.