We remain confident in our abilities,” declared Portsmouth defender Regan Poole, as their winning streak was halted by a goalless draw against Cambridge United.
Poole emphasized that Portsmouth is still the team to beat, extending their lead at the top of League One by four points.
The draw put an end to their impressive seven-game winning streak but marked their 25th consecutive League One game without defeat. Although Portsmouth had control of the match in the first half, they couldn’t capitalize on their advantage in the second half. Despite the outcome, Poole stressed that there was no negativity in the dressing room.
Poole stated, “This is not a reason to feel disheartened. We’re still undefeated and currently the top team in the league. No one in the dressing room is discouraged; we’re focused on the upcoming Saturday match.”
He acknowledged the difficulty of playing at Cambridge and recognized that the home team would accumulate points this season. He pointed out that a loss would have been a different story, but they didn’t lose, so they were looking ahead to Saturday with optimism.
While they would have preferred a six-point lead, they understand that not every game can be won. Poole acknowledged that they should have won the match, but they were not dwelling on disappointment. Instead, they were looking forward to the next game.
Despite trying to keep the result in perspective, Poole admitted that Portsmouth needed to be more efficient in front of the goal. They had only two shots on target despite having 62% possession against Cambridge United.
He added, “We’re a bit disappointed overall. We wanted to win this game, and in fact, we want to win every game. Despite our good form, there were positive aspects to take away from this match.”
Portsmouth tried a different tactical approach, especially in the first half, and it seemed to work. However, Poole expressed disappointment that the game lost intensity as it progressed, benefiting the home team. He believed that converting their chances in the first half could have changed the game’s dynamics in their favor.
He emphasized the importance of being more ruthless and putting games away when the opportunities arise. Nevertheless, he pointed out that a victory on Saturday would still make it a successful week, and there were no complaints from the team.
Poole also credited the defensive performance of their opponents, recognizing that they limited Portsmouth’s chances in the second half. He believed that teams sitting back defensively could pose a challenge, regardless of the opposition.
He concluded by noting that scoring in the first half could have opened up the game in their favor, as they had players capable of hurting the opposition when given more space.
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