John Marquis: There were never Portsmouth crisis talks - this team always reacts well

Now the rejuvenated Blues have charged into fifth spot on the back of successive away victories – most recently at Sunderland.

A week last Saturday, Pompey’s early season was unravelling, capped by a disappointing defeat to Doncaster.

However, since that low, it has been an impressive reaction by Kenny Jackett and his side, whose last two displays have been unrecognisable.

Marquis himself has now rattled in three goals in two matches, including netting twice in Saturday’s eye-catching 3-1 success at the previously unbeaten Black Cats.

And he is adamant the under-fire Blues were not panicking after Doncaster.

He said: ‘Since I have been here, when we’ve lost there has been a good reaction, we go on a run.

‘We don’t normally tend to dwell on things, we are used to winning games.

‘We know you can lose games, but it’s about how you react. When something happens, you must move on very quickly.

‘After Doncaster, we didn’t really talk about it. Obviously you speak after a game initially, but then you move on and we had a big game against Gillingham.

‘There were no crisis talks or anything. We had beaten MK Dons, we had beaten Burton, we had beaten Southend - so had won three out of the last four.

‘The last year or so we have responded well after a loss. The manager believes you have to live in the moment, you can’t dwell on bad results.

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‘You have to brush yourself off and move onto the next one.

‘There are so many games this year, we want to be consistent. If we are, it puts us to where we want to be.’

Following successive victories since Doncaster, Pompey find themselves fifth in League One.

It represents a welcome mini-revival which Marquis hopes will be prolonged by a considerable period of time.

Recalled following Ellis Harrison’s injury and with the system reverting back to 4-4-2, the former Millwall man looks as reinvigorated as his team-mates.

Unquestionably the Stadium of Light outcome was the Blues’ finest display of a spluttering season so far.

On Tuesday, they welcome 19th-placed Northampton to Fratton Park, followed by Charlton’s Saturday visit.

And optimism among a frustrating Pompey fanbase is beginning to stir.

He added: ‘Hopefully we can keep winning games.

‘At the moment, we are looking good and sharper up front.

‘Tuesday is another big game, it's another big week, with Northampton and Charlton to come. It’s relentless at the moment.

‘But we have to move on quickly and respect Northampton because they have a good side and will be a different test to Sunderland.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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