Danny Cowley: I was warned not to take Portsmouth short-term job - but life is for living

But the new Blues head coach insisted: Life’s for living.

The 42-year-old was brimming with enthusiasm and bubbling with conviction following last night’s appointment.

While other candidates spurned the opportunity to manage until the season’s end, Cowley and brother Nicky had no such qualms.

The former Lincoln and Huddersfield pair have backed themselves to make a difference to a Fratton Park side presently 10th in League One and nursing five straight defeats.

It is a demonstration of their impressive self-belief – while the passion for the challenge ahead was also evident in Cowley’s first interview.

He told The News: ‘We believe in our skill set, we believe in our work ethic and we believe in Portsmouth as a football club at every level.

‘We feel really privileged to be in this position to be able to manage this club.

‘It would have been easy for us not to take this job, there are probably many reasons why we shouldn’t, but life is for living.

‘I want to wake up every day and I really want to live.

‘It might be a short time but I am anticipating a good time.

‘Who didn’t advise us not to take it! lots of people, but we believe in ourselves. Do you know what, in this world nobody else controls your destiny other than yourself, nobody else has that privilege.

‘Nicky and I are wise enough to make decisions for us - and we have been used to making decisions that have set us up for success.

‘There are 12 games to go and we have got to start affecting that performance quickly and that’s a huge challenge

‘Certainly our focus is on performance, but the challenge is to get into the play-ofs – and then, if we do, maybe we can win a football match for this club in the play-offs!’

The duo oversaw first-team training at Fratton Park yesterday morning, albeit before their contracts had been signed off.

They will now occupy the Pompey dug-out for this afternoon’s visit of promotion rivals Ipswich (1pm).

And Cowley is relishing the first of 12 matches over a 71-day period as they chase the play-offs.

He added: ‘We have been in the building a day.

‘Can we see an improved performance against Ipswich, can we play with more intensity, can we play with more energy, can we play more aggressive in terms of turning the ball over, can we increase the ball speed, can we get an extra player in the attacking line.

‘All of these little things we’re going to try to add. It has been only one day but a good day and positive day – and we are looking to have a better day against Ipswich.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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