I always thought a Pompey play-off push was on cards
Wednesday, 11th Apr 2018 21:30 by pompey-fans.com staff

Joe Gallen says Pompey's play-off push has not really come as a surprise to him.

Kenny Jackett's assistant always felt that if the Blues could get to March in League One's top 10, they had a chance of being in the mix.

And he told The News the return of a number of experienced players had come at the perfect time.

Gallen told The News: ‘A few weeks ago we had a lot of injuries and were maybe putting in good but inexperienced players into an experienced situation. Whereas now we have an experienced situation and experienced players have come in.

‘Nathan was suspended for a while, then Brett was out, Gareth was out and along the way we lost Oli for a couple of games and Stuart was out. Since they have all come back at certain times, there has been a momentum swing from Oldham and then with the crowd at home to Oxford.

‘Certainly those players coming back has given us a lot — and a chance. I always said if we were somewhere at the end of March then we were capable of getting on a run and striking, I have said that numerous times.

‘With this club and the crowd, things can change very quickly. Maybe I wouldn’t have thought it after the Blackpool and Gillingham home games but the fact is we were somewhere at the end of March and ended up giving ourselves a chance so we could go on a run.

‘No matter how things were looking, if we were in the top 10 in March we could turn things around with the players coming back and our crowd gaining confidence from the team.

‘We have managed to give ourselves a chance. And I pretty much think it will be in line with having a fully-fit squad.’