Walkes eyeing '˜perfect' Pompey month

The Blues head into Saturday's final August fixture second in the table, having been victorious in all four of their League One matches.

Victory at Doncaster will equal the club-record winning start to a league campaign.

The sole blip so far during the opening month has been Carabao Cup elimination at the hands of AFC Wimbledon at Fratton Park.

Regardless, a hard-fought victory at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night epitomised the resilience demonstrated by Kenny Jackett's side during the early part of the season.

And Walkes is determined to maintain that encouraging momentum.

The right-back said: '˜Looking at the statistics, it's always interesting to see some of the facts.

'˜With all due respect, we have been on a great run and are now up against a tough team, so the pressure is on us.

'˜It would be the perfect start to the first month of the season for us to end with maximum points.

'˜However, the most important thing is not to lose. Even if we walk away from Doncaster with a point, that is still momentum in our favour as we get this first month out of the way.

'˜We're coming off the back of Bristol Rovers, a match we had to dig in and find that extra gear '“ and fortunately enough it worked.

'˜They'll be times when things won't go in our favour, so it's about making sure you can dig in and get out of those holes.

'˜It was definitely a tough game, conceding that penalty the way we did was very unfortunate, but we have a good group of lads and chances will always come.

'˜We'll take that. You enjoy wins more when you have to fight, work hard and give it all you can so to come away with something.'

Doncaster are presently seventh in League One, having drawn against Shrewsbury in the week.

Grant McCann replaced Darren Ferguson in June, leading Rovers to an encouraging season's start.

Walkes added: '˜Defending as a team wins you things, everybody played their role against Bristol Rovers. We are onto Doncaster now and hopefully can win again.

'˜You need to be able to be comfortable and defend at the same time, which I felt we were at Bristol. I know there are times when it's a bit rocky, but that happens in games.

'˜Doncaster have had a fairly good start, so it will be interesting to come across another good team.'