Paul Cook is playing the 'one game at a time' card as fans look forward to a hectic festive period for Pompey.

They will play five games in 22 days, starting at home to Hartlepool on Saturday, before the FA Cup visit to Ipswich on January 9.

Cook is focusing on one match at a time though - and reckons the Pool's visit this week will give his troops a stiff test to start the busy time.

He told the Pompey website: 'We’ve got a run of tough games coming up over the Christmas period and we’re probably a little off where we want to be. But it will be a very difficult game for us on Saturday and that’s the test we’re focusing on right now.

'Hartlepool were the better team against Oxford the other week and were unfortunate to be beaten 1-0. It was a fantastic achievement by Ronnie and his staff to keep them up last season — to say they were written off would be an understatement.

'Building on that euphoria has probably been a bit difficult, but they’ll come here thinking it’s a match they can win. Ronnie’s got a proven track record and is a very astute manager who knows the game really well, so his side are sure to be difficult to beat.

'But we’ve got a good depth to our squad and are looking to reward our excellent fans with a victory.'

Follow @Pompey_Fans

Click here to sign up for an account and reserve your username! You can then post on the Forum and add your comments to articles

Photo: Action Images

Colchester United Polls