There may be trouble ahead - but Awford will be ready for it
Sunday, 15th Jun 2014 20:11 by pompey-fans.com staff

Andy Awford admits he will have tough spells and less job security as Pompey manager than he had running the club's academy. But he feels certain he has made the step up to first-team management at the right time.

In the latest in a series of interviews with the club's website, the boss says it won't always be as smooth-running with the team as it has been since he took over at the end of March.

Awford told www.portsmouthfc.co.uk: 'I’ve had five wins, two draws and a summer break, so I’m wise enough to know I’m still in the honeymoon period,” he muses. “Of course I don’t want to envisage there will be tough days or periods, but we will inevitably lose games.

'For me it is important how we lose because there is a right way and a wrong way to be defeated in a game. By that, I mean as long as we come off the pitch having given absolutely everything, but have been beaten by the better team, then we have to accept that and take it with dignity.

“If we lose to a dodgy refereeing decision then people know me and I will be ranting and raving at that. The popular saying is that these things even themselves out over a season, but I’m not sure it does personally. However, if that happens then it does.

'But there is the flip side of losing in the right manner and if that happens then it is something I will need to address. I am trying to instil the mentality into players about the right way to lose, but essentially I want everyone to think positive and that’s how we will treat every game.

'Of course people have posed to me that staying with the academy would have afforded a lot more security than managing the first team. But I turn that on its head by saying I may be managing in the Championship two years from now so you never know.

'For me coming into management was the right time and I’m confident for the future given those around me.'