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Wycombe aren't Crawley - Pompey warned

Paul Cook was delighted to see Pompey take Crawley apart last weekend - but expects a different challenge ahead of them at Fratton this Saturday.

Crawley came south with quite an open approach but Wycombe Wanderers are not known for a similar way of playing when they visit Pompey.

But Cook is heartened he has now seen his team at their best and hopes players and fans will all keep belief that they can beat other teams, even more defensive ones, at home.

He told The News: 'I’ve got great belief in the players. For the first time this season I looked at us and thought that they looked alright. That’s two good home wins and we couldn’t have done much more against Carlisle.

‘Our home form is important. We must break teams down. We have to create that energy in the stadium to break teams down. We must force mistakes. It was what we tried to do and it worked.

‘We won the game in the first 12 minutes. That’s what our tempo did. Crawley played the game in a good manner and they will be a threat this season. But our fans can see we have good players and are a good side. So I think there may be a way of us working together to break teams down.’

Cook added: ‘We always felt it’d be a good game. Crawley helped create a good game. I think they will be a good side and have a good year though. Both wide players looked a threat and they attacked with pace.

‘When you have two teams who want to have a good game you will get one with goals and chances. The second half fizzled out and we were pleased with that.

‘We want to manage games better so that’s where we want to be. The keeper makes a difference. He gives us that confidence and assurance. That was what he was brought in for. ‘I do think next weekend will be a very different game, though.’

Wycombe visit Fratton on Saturday after a tough start to the campaign.

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