The lengths Portsmouth striker Ellis Harrison is ready to go to in effort to get his side promoted

The Blues striker’s told how he’s determined to carry on taking the fight to League One’s central defenders to help his team to a memorable season.

Harrison has become a key figure in the improvement shown by Kenny Jackett’s side since the start of November.

Pompey are now on a run of two defeats in 18 games as their bid for success accelerates this term.

The summer arrival from Ipswich has started the past nine league games in that time and become an integral part of his side’s 4-2-3-1 formation as he leads the line.

Harrison has found himself in constant physical duels with opposing defenders, but that is something he’s relishing as he contributes to his side’s success.

He said: ‘I just work hard and make it awkward for the other team.

‘The more awkward I make it for the other team by battling and wrestling defenders almost, it makes it easier for our wingers and number 10 to get the chances.

‘I do what I feel is necessary. I don’t go out with a game plan against who I’m playing. I make it hard for them and work hard.

‘I want to be remembered as a player who was horrible to play against.

‘I don’t want people to think I’m a soft touch. That doesn’t wash with me.

‘I’m not going to do a stepover, beat someone and smash it into the top corner. That’s not me.

‘But I’ll try to win headers and hold the ball up for the team to help us get forward.

‘Of course I’m happy to take a battering if we win. Of course I am.

‘You come off with bruises and scratches all over but you win so it doesn’t matter.

‘I’ve come off at times and got in the bath thinking that was some game I was in today!

‘But when you win it’s brilliant. When you lose it can be demoralising.

‘So with the run we’re on it’s great and hopefully we can finish the season strong.’

Harrison feels doing the ugly stuff on the pitch over the rest of the campaign is something Pompey are going to need to embrace.

Jackett’s side have toppled the current top three so far, but slipped up against a number of sides in the lower echelons of the table.

Harrison added: ‘Football is momentum. I spoke at the end of the September saying it would take one game to get on a roll.

‘That was all it took because we went one loss in 15.

‘We beat the teams like Ipswich and Wycombe and did well against sides who pass the ball.

‘But we dropped points against teams like Gillingham who people expect us to beat.

‘Sometimes it’s harder against those sides because it’s a scrap.

‘But when you have two pitbulls fighting to get a win it’s different. That’s us and that’s what we have to do.’