The Legend is keeping the faith that Pompey can clinch automatic promotion.

Last weekend's home defeat to Newport County has had the doubters and critics out in force and was a big setback for those who felt Paul Cook's team were about to put together a run of wins that had eluded them all season.

But in his column in The News, Knight was optimistic, saying: 'I believe there are still enough points available for us to catch either Oxford United or Plymouth. Both scenarios are realistic — but the fact Argyle have to visit Fratton Park can give us that extra three points.

'April 16 is a must win for Pompey. Then again, so is Mansfield this weekend. They are all must-win games at this stage of the campaign. I actually don’t care who comes second to Northampton, but there always seems to be one team who emerges out of the blue.

'Hopefully that will be us, clinching third spot and subsequent automatic promotion. Plymouth have had a few injuries and bits and bobs which have started to affect them. That’s one win in six matches now, or you could also portray it as two victories from their last nine.

'It is obvious they are not performing as consistently as earlier this season, so they have to be Pompey’s aim. Admittedly, Northampton also have to visit Fratton Park and will do so as champions of League Two.

'However, they will be in party mode for that last game of the season. They will be promoted and not wanting to get injured. Not wanting to take anything away from their achievements this season, I thought we beat them quite comfortably at their place in December.

'Yet I honestly believe we can do the double for their May 7 visit to Fratton — and get us promoted at the same time. It is only human nature the Cobblers will arrive thinking about beaches. We will need the points, they definitely won’t.'

After the visit to Mansfield on Saturday, Pompey host Notts County on Good Friday.

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