The impact the Pompey spirit is having on team's season at a critical moment

Joe Gallen believes both the camaraderie and character being shown by the Blues squad is bubbling over as their campaign comes to a climax.

The assistant manager believes maintaining those qualities is going to be crucial if Kenny Jackett’s side are to enjoy a fruitful finale to the campaign.

And Gallen explained he’s sensed the team spirit building in the dressing room since the end of last year.

He said: ‘The attitude is excellent at the moment and the spirit is as good as it’s been all season.

‘The camaraderie among the players you can feel and you know it’s there.

‘In order to achieve and to be successful you need the group to have spirit and to have the right camaraderie.

‘It’s almost like a gang and since Ipswich there’s been a lot of that.

‘There’s been a good gang forming - in a nice way!’

Gallen insisted he wasn’t surprised to see Pompey return to winning ways against Shrewsbury after the mid-week loss against Coventry.

He thought they put in a performance which warranted a return at St Andrew’s, despite a 1-0 reverse ending a record run of wins.

Gallen felt the attitude was right in a loss against a side who’ve now moved into the automatic promotion slots exhibited

And that convinced Jackett’s No2 a win was on the cards in the wind and rain against Sam Ricketts’ men

Gallen added: ‘I’m not surprised we did that because we gave a very good showing at Coventry.

‘I thought we edged that game and were by far the better team in the second half.

‘I felt if the players continued to play like that and have the attitude they’ve shown we’d be okay.

‘I felt we dominated Coventry second half, so I’m not surprised we came out and won.

‘I just thought the way it’s been going that we would be able to get back into the groove.

‘I’m not saying it’s easy to win because it’s not, but I just feel the attitude is right at the moment.’