People usually start to talk about must-win games around October, which is ridiculous. But now, come the arrival of British Summer Time and with Pompey being able to afford few more slip-ups if they're to retain hope of a top-three finish, it's not such a daft tag.

Having lost at home to Newport then only managed a dreary draw at Mansfield, the pressure is back on Pompey to register a win when Notts County visit on Good Friday afternoon.

And it's pressure boss Paul Cook accepts is there and must be handled.

Easter brings two games in three days in League Two so by Monday evening Pompey could, at a stretch, be in the top three - equally they could be ninth. But they know a win at home to the Magpies would send them to AFC Wimbledon on Monday in good heart.

Cook told the Pompey website: 'We’ve promised so much at times and we’ve faltered at other times. There’s always a pressure when you play for Portsmouth Football Club — no-one’s ever going to take that away.

'But we have to educate these lads about how the games should be played. It’s a learning curve for them. Overall, I’m pleased at the level the players are at and the commitment they give game in, game out. There are nine matches to go and still so much to play for this season, so we’ve got to keep believing.'

Notts County arrive well clear of the bottom two but in poor form - they're bottom of the last-six-games table. But then again, Mansfield had lost three in a row before last week. And County have a new manager - Mark Cooper being their third boss of the season.

Cook may recall Paul Jones to the starting line-up - although there is still a chance Ryan Fulton may be allowed to play ahead of Scotland duty.

Elsewhere Gary Roberts is likely to feature after sitting out the Mansfield draw through a one-match ban.

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