A couple of pointers both ways.

First and foremost I want Pompey team players who have been at the club more than a week to forget about praising the fans and saying we are terrific. We know we are terrific, and don't need to be told same. Otherwise we may think you are inarticulate or using us as an excuse for a sub-standard performance.

Secondly, some players are beginning to believe their own hype. This is dangerous. Look what happened against York, Hartlepool and Northampton - then what happened when we started thinking we could go top of the league? We flopped against Leyton Orient; a good team, but not one to which we would expect to concede three goals (OK we beat them 6 -3 at their place many years ago, but we had Ron Saunders in those days and two underrated wingers). So we stopped conceding against Luton; how were we to know that their 'keeper would play a blinder? Well. that happens in football especially against teams with close links to our past, AA etc, so must be factored in from time to time.

Bu