Pompey boss calls on troops to stay focused

Paul Cook warned his players to stay grounded after their Notts County romp.

Pompey responded with conviction to their manager’s demand to give fans promotion belief with an emphatic 4-0 win at Fratton Park yesterday.

The Blues were in dominant form as they sent the Magpies packing in their first game under Mark Cooper.

The margin of victory has only been bettered by the 6-0 demolition of York City back in November – equalling December’s success over Hartlepool.

It was an encouraging display from Cook’s side after two games without a win.

But the Pompey boss underlined it’s just one step in the right direction with eight games remaining.

Cook’s side remain five points off the automatic promotion spots but consolidated their place in the League Two play-off places with the three points.

The Scouser felt his team showcased their capabilities in front of their own fans.

But he underlined it’s now about maintaining focus as the chance comes to build momentum at AFC Wimbledon on Monday.

Cook said: ‘It showed what we can do when we put teams under pressure.

‘It’s for other people to make headlines. It’s for us to go out and do it.

‘We’ve had too many highs and lows and too many false dawns.

‘We have to keep our heads down and get better and stronger as a club.

‘It’s a benchmark to what we are trying to do.

‘The fans have witnessed it and that’s how it should be.

‘We don’t want the players speaking about where we can go, we’re going to just keep playing football.

‘We are in danger of having a good season.’

– JORDAN CROSS