Cook demands men act on new Pompey anthem

PAUL COOK eyed the run-in and told his men: Find a way.
Pompey boss Paul Cook Picture: Joe PeplerPompey boss Paul Cook Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey boss Paul Cook Picture: Joe Pepler

The Pompey boss has demanded his men search out an approach to get over the line this season as they go in search of back-to-back away wins at Colchester.

Cook’s side climbed into League Two’s top three with victory at Crawley on Tuesday night.

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The challenge now is to stay there, with 11 games of the campaign remaining.

Travelling Blues fans endlessly sang ‘we’re on our way’ in the success at the Broadfield Stadium.

The song, which looks set to be the theme tune to the remainder of the season, references not knowing or caring about how promotion is achieved.

Cook feels that is the message now to his players.

He said: ‘I think that’s been the message for a bit. The most important thing on a Saturday afternoon is the result. That’s most important, not how we play.

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‘We can play well and have different factors to help the players. You’ve got to want it bad.

‘We know our supporters want it bad. We’re not stupid.

‘The players need to want it just as much.

‘We have to focus on ourselves now. Clusters of wins don’t matter to me.

‘Getting over the line matters. Once we’re over the line what will be debated?

‘It’s not about looking at anyone else or records, it’s the next game and getting the most points we can between now and the end of the season.

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‘It’s results now. We’re at the stage now where people have jostled to get into position. The framework of the league is there.

‘For example, if you’re Stevenage the outcome is can we get promoted? If you’re Cheltenham it’s can we stay up?

‘Everyone has an outcome. Everyone has a pleasing end to the season. For Pompey, the pleasing end is promotion.

‘It doesn’t matter how we get there. The song is quite valid. Let’s see where we go with it.’

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Pompey’s form going into tomorrow’s game reads one loss in seven, while many of their promotion rivals are stuttering.

Cook underlined his team’s focus is on themselves.

He added: ‘Our consistency is our inconsistency. When others go on good and bad we just plod away. The challenge is to break out of that plod.

‘But the league’s littered like that. You look at Luton’s next three fixtures – Stevenage, Carlisle away and Exeter.

‘The reality for Luton is they could pick up nine points or they could pick up two.

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‘We’re going to Colchester with the frame of mind to just win. If we do that the trip home will be good. Results somewhere will go well for us and everything will be great.

‘If we get back and we lose we’ll be under pressure going into Tuesday. It’s football – and we’re all trying change it.

‘We don’t know what will happen. So the important thing is to concentrate on ourselves.’