Andy Awford is determined to lead Pompey through an upbeat pre-season campaign - to keep the momentum going that the team built with five wins and two draws at the end of last season.

The players returned to pre-season training and will soon be pitting their talents against non-league sides in friendlies.

Awford says he's glad the squad are back - earlier than usual - and keen to maintain the feelgood factor still running through Fratton and the staff.

He told the Pompey website: 'It was lovely to get down and see training and watch the new players get integrated. There’s that social aspect — getting new players bedded in, finding out where their breakfast is, directions to the training ground, collecting their new training kit and meeting the staff.

'So yes it is very much like first day back at school and the work was very light, but that will increase as the pre-season goes on. For me it’s all about keeping the momentum we built at the end of last season. So I was delighted that the atmosphere was sky high — if I could bottle that I’d be a millionaire.

'Everybody was as high as a kite which is just what I want rather than people moping about. I wanted it vibrant, full of energy and that’s what we got.

'Pre-season games are all about fitness and you will see that from the teams picked at Havant & Waterlooville, Bognor and Thurrock. There won’t be any first team as such — it will be the squad that plays in these games. The longer the pre-season goes on, you more you get your pairings.

'Of course I want to win every game and if we can get results then that’s all well and good, but it won’t be the primary focus.'

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

Portsmouth Polls