Pompey's post-Kenny Jackett era starts away to promotion rivals Peterborough on Tuesday night - and temporary boss Joe Gallen says the players need to show they can do better than in the recent performances which sealed his friend and colleague's fate.

Gallen has been put in charge of the team while the Blues look to appoint a new manager and he says the players feel they let down Jackett, and he wants them to show their hurt at London Road.

He told the club website: 'Tt was very disappointing to hear the news that Kenny was leaving the club — I was always proud to be his assistant at every club we’ve been at. But I’ve been asked to take the next game and I’m happy to do that. I’m looking forward to it and hopefully we can get a result.

'There’s always an element of surprise from the players when a manager leaves and, as a group, they feel they’ve let Kenny down. All I’ve said to them is that if they feel that way, they have to go out there on Tuesday and prove what they can do.

'We haven’t won for a number of games now and so we’re looking for a performance from them that can build confidence. It’s still open for us, but we do need to go on a run of victories — and we’re looking for that to start on Tuesday.

'We’ve beaten Peterborough in the league once this season, but they’re always a difficult team to face and we expect the same again on Tuesday. But it’s time for us to have a reaction to the run of results, as well as Kenny’s departure, and we’re looking to win.

'There are enough games for us to turn things around — but we’ve said that for a number of weeks and it has to start now. We feel that if we can get a couple of results then momentum can build quickly. It’s no use just talking about that, though, and we have to show it.'

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