Sean Raggett says a run of games against promotion rivals is motivation enough for Pompey to put an insipid display at Blackpool behind them.

The Blues efforts were anything but illuminating at Bloomfield Road but Raggett is certain they can bounce back with better performances - starting at home to Peterborough this Saturday, when they will welcome back a crowd of 2,000.

Raggett said of the Blackpool defeat: 'There was a real lack of quality all over the pitch from us and we have to do better. We didn’t play well, but you’re not going to be able to do that every week and our ambitions are still to get into the top two.

'There are times when you need to grind our results and we couldn’t do it in this occasion, so we’ll be looking to bounce back. We’ve been building momentum and this is a setback, but we’re a confident group and we know what we’re capable of.

'All of the players will be motivated by this run of games we’ve got coming up now and a lot of the teams we’re facing will be challengers for promotion. It’s an important time for us and the boys understand that, so we’ll certainly be ready to go for each one.

'We’ve been performing well recently and there’s no need to panic. You’ve got to maintain that belief. We spoke in the dressing room afterwards about what we need to do and everyone’s together and ready to work hard.'

After Posh's visit on Saturday, Pompey visit Cheltenham, Ipswich and Hull and host Fleetwood - all before Christmas. Games against Swindon (H) and Bristol Rovers (A) follow between Christmas and New Year.

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