Gaffer: Portsmouth killed time by the corner flag to beat Ipswich - Danny Cowley is just what we need

What did you make of the new era?

On Twitter, I saw a video of Pompey’s warm-up and even before the start of the game there was a difference in energy.

In his post-match interview, Danny Cowley said the Ipswich result was down to the players, but you can already see he is trying to get the team pressing more.

It’s a promising start, but we need several weeks to get any semblance of an idea of what Cowley can achieve with this team. This is a difficult period of the season to come into.

We also saw the game out, holding the ball in the corner flag during injury time when we’re used to gradually sinking deeper and deeper towards our goal.

Are the play-offs realistic?

Of course, it’s easily doable. To win the toughest game we have left this season is a very good start.

There are lots of points to play for, we have a favourable run in and there is a mini-league which we have to finish in the top half.

I didn’t think the play-offs were possible under Kenny Jackett, we were in too much of a tailspin.

Although Cowley has such a short space of time to make it work, just a couple of weeks to get it together. If we are not playing well by then, I can’t see it.

Was Danny Cowley your choice?

I was never in the Jackett out camp. I don’t buy setting your manager an objective and, even when on course to deliver it, then sacking him.

However, with Jackett, as the season unfolded, promotion became less likely to happen and change was needed.

I was actually on the Daniel Stendel bandwagon, minus the German flag on Twitter! I was probably among the minority who knew who he was before his name was mentioned.

With Cowley, once I did my research it became clear he’s probably not the long ball manager I thought he was.

Everything said by him has been very impressive so far.

Who was your man of the match?

Ronan Curtis copped a bit of stick on social media the other day when his Republic of Ireland call-up was announced.

They said he didn’t deserve it – and two assists and man of the match against Ipswich was his way of answering.

The first was from Curtis’ corner. We have been crying out for delivery like that all season, whipped in at pace for people to attack.

Then if you watch Marcus Harness’ goal, Curtis’ cross goes through four visiting players on the deck before it gets to him. Cook must have been fuming.

The Irishman’s performances have dipped this season. When he’s on it, he is unstoppable, runs at teams, is direct and can shoot from anywhere,

The difference between his peak and lowest is quite vast.

Craig MacGillivray 7

James Bolton 7

Jack Whatmough 7

Sean Raggett 6

Lee Brown 7

Marcus Harness 8

Tom Naylor 8

Andy Cannon 6

Ronan Curtis 8

Ryan Williams 6

Jordy Hiwula 6

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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