'Never doubt Portsmouth players' character - we are all desperate to win promotion' - Joe Gallen

That’s the message from Joe Gallen as the Blues head to Oxford United seeking to reignite their fading automatic promotion bid.

A return of four defeats in seven matches has raised strong doubts that Kenny Jackett’s squad are capable of reaching the top two.

They now stand five points adrift from third place – and seven away from the automatic spots.

Pompey could even tumble out of the play-off positions tomorrow night, dependent on how Sunderland and Accrington also fare.

However, the Blues assistant boss is convinced the players are fully equipped to maintain their promotion ambition.

Gallen told The News: ‘There’s a time when everyone has to show a certain amount of character and a certain amount of belief in their ability in order to get back to form.

‘Well, this side definitely has character. That’s not what is lacking. We certainly have character and certainly have the ability to go on a run of wins.

‘We are pretty desperate to get out of League One, if the truth be told.

‘Nobody can fault their work-rate or attitude or will to win or the effort. All the things that you want our players in abundance, we have that.

‘We know where we are going wrong, we need to put it right. We analyse, which we have done. We explain, which we have done. Now it’s up to the players to put it right tomorrow right.

‘During the course of a season, there’s always going to be some ups and downs. No one player plays well every single game.

‘Players need reminders. Show them clips, you talk to them around the training ground, give them a ring, build belief, build confidence, show them the truth.

‘Remind them over the course of the season there are always going to be some dips and things aren’t going to go too well.

‘There’s no doubt we need to improve and we need to put it right.

‘There are plenty of games to go – and we need to start picking up results pretty quickly.’

Oxford are placed eighth in League One and won 11 of their last 14 fixtures in all competitions.

Although, impressively, Pompey have impressively won at Sunderland, Lincoln, Hull and Charlton so far this term – and all by two clear goals.

Gallen added: ‘We need to get back to what we do best, which is being hard to play against, trying to keep clean sheets, and being better in the opponent’s box.

That’s what has let us down recently, we need to get back to winning in both boxes. As soon as we do that, then we’ll start winning games again.

‘Recently we’ve had the majority of games in the middle part of the pitch, which is good, but we haven’t come up with the appropriate finishes.’

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