Ronan Curtis welcomes the important bond Cowleys have already formed with Portsmouth players

And the Republic of Ireland international believes it’s a connection that’s being replicated throughout the Pompey first-team squad as the new management team continue to make their mark at Fratton Park.

New head coach Danny Cowley, along with his brother Nicky, was brought in to replace Kenny Jackett in the Blues Park hot seat on March 19.

Performances and results on the pitch have improved in the short period since then.

Pompey have won the three games to date under their new bosses, while a return to the top six has also been achieved with nine matches of the League One season remaining.

But according to Curtis, it’s not just on the pitch where the Cowleys’ impact is being noticed

He insists the backing they’ve provided each player has been recognised by the group – and that’s helped form a ‘real togetherness’ that should stand the team in good stead moving forward.

Speaking on his return to Fratton Park following his international commitments with the Republic of Ireland, Curtis said: ‘They (the Cowleys) were talking to me loads over the international period.

‘I couldn’t wait to get back to get my work on the training pitch done and had a long meeting on Thursday – me, the gaffer and Nicky.

‘We spoke at length where we wants me and what he wants me to do.

‘I applied it on Friday on the pitch (against Rochdale) and hopefully I can keep applying it for my team-mates, the staff and the management.

‘To have a manager that backs you is always great.

‘It’s not just me, he backs every single one of the lads in that dressing room – and that’s the lovely thing about our management.

‘We’ve got a real togetherness and you have seen that already in the results we’ve had, winning three on the bounce and we need to keep going now.’