13pts from a possible 15pts on offer from our last 5 games is a fantastic return – this is, dare I say it, ‘promotion winning’ form, with the latest win coming at Millwall last night.
Millwall is always an ‘intimidating’ place to go, and last night was no exception but we went there and did what was needed to get the win, which obviously pleased Steve Cotterill: ‘Millwall’s a tough place to come and get a result. They were up and in our faces from the off and we had to make sure we were on the front foot ourselves.
‘We showed real character, grit and determination. We had to because they’re a big strong side with a really honest bunch of players.
‘We also had to contend with their fans. Ours are fantastic, and theirs aren’t bad either. Fratton Park is intimidating and so is The Den, but we coped with it well.
‘It could easily have been a draw but we were carving out the better chances and got our reward. It was also pleasing to keep a clean sheet.’
Liam Lawrence’s goal won us the game and his quality was once again praised: ‘Liam Lawrence gives quality down the right side to us. He’s a real energiser around the place and that rubs off on others.
‘He’s been fantastic from the minute he walked through the door.’
The guy has been immense since we signed him so I am still pinching myself that we managed to get the guy – I was happy at the time but his quality has, if anything, exceeded what I had hoped for!
It was a first win away from home this season, a rare one these days, but it was one that Cotterill said that we have deserved with the travelling support against having praise heaped upon them with the club ‘buzzing’ again: ‘the fans were brilliant. They have been since the moment I walked in here.
‘This club’s buzzing again and it’s nice.’
Arriving on a 1-month emergency loan on the day of the game, having trained with the club since Friday, Greg Halford was handed a debut in place of Joel Ward at right back, with the youngster unfortunate to be dropped to the bench, although when Rocha John Rocha was forced off with an injury Ward came on, seeing Halford move into the middle.
Cotterill had this to say about Halford and Rocha John Rocha’s injury: ‘I thought Greg Halford was tremendous for us. It was like he had been playing for us all season. He`s a great addition for us and showed his versatility. His long throw is also a real weapon for us.
‘It will take 24 to 48 hours to assess how bad Rocha’s injury is. We’ll need to get him scanned and go from there.’
Another good job well done, I would have happily taken a point but must say that I had a good feeling that we would win this as the ‘feel good factor’ is returning at this club and a real belief is seeing us do what is needed.
Bring on the Hull – lets hope it is 3rd time lucky for us as a club and me personally, and my travelling partners, as the last 2 trips to the KC have been real dour 0-0 draws, absolutely awful games to sit through…
PLAY UP POMPEY!
