x

Cook's entertainment vow as Pompey are tipped for title

Paul Cook says he'll keep playing to entertain - and if certain opposition teams merely set out to frustrate Pompey, that's their business.

Crawley's surprising tactic of going all out for a 0-0 draw on Tuesday night is one that other teams might try, but Cook says his team will always play to dominate, entertain and win.

Speaking in the build-up to Saturday's home clash with Morecambe, Cook told The News: ‘As a manager I enjoy watching us play. We’ll go to Luton and play the same way, at Oxford we’ll play the same way, we won’t take backwards steps. We want to engage in good games, if other teams don’t that is not my problem.

‘There have already been games when the opposition couldn’t get the ball off us, but then people might criticise you for not scoring goals, this is the balance to teams.

‘At the end of the day any team has the right to play how they want. My philosophy is playing good, attractive football, trying to dominate possession and win games. I always feel if you can do both then supporters will be quite happy.

‘We will play the same away from home as at home, I think our fans are learning that quite quickly. It doesn’t really bother us when people say our away form is bad for example, I don’t really grasp that.

‘We don’t play the crowd, we don’t play the terraces, we play the XI lads on the pitch and if you are having 60-plus per cent possession of a ball the likelihood is you should be getting somewhere.

‘The problems will be when teams get a lot of players behind the ball and try to frustrate us. It pleases me that on Tuesday we came away from home, dominated and played in a really good and correct manner. Unfortunately we weren’t good enough to break them down.’

Meanwhile the manager whose team ended Pompey's 100 per cent record - Mark Yates at Crawley - is Cook's men for the League Two title.

He told the West Sussex County Times: 'For me they’ll win the league, for me they have the best manager and the best players by far. They are really pleasing on the eye and have recruited players who can get them out of this division. I fully expect them to be champions come the end of the season.'

Advertisement

Click here to sign up for an account and reserve your username! You can then post on the Forum and add your comments to articles

What to read next:

Brave Swans in memorable game at Carrow Road
It was a pulsating game to watch and very much one of my favourite away games of the season. The Swans looked an entirely different side to that we saw at Middlesbrough when it is clear a catalyst for commitment was agreed behind the scenes at Swansea City. To a man every player grafted and wore the shirt with pride. To see the players really acknowledge the Swans support at Carrow Road this afternoon was emotional.
Norwich City 2 - 2 Swansea City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
TEAM NEWS : Norwich City v Swansea City
The Swans are on the Norfolk Broads, punting and boating their way to the end of the season. Hopefully the city of Norwich is obliging.
Swansea City : Jack Army travel over 1,000 miles for two games in succession
Swansea City have set out on their second long distance away trip in two weekends, this time to Norwich for todays clash between the Swans and Canaries (3pm) Over the last ten meetings between the clubs Swansea City have won five times, Norwich the same.
Cardiff City fan sends tragedy tweet directed at dead Swansea City fan Terry Coles
As a result of the news reported by Sky on Wednesday that five military horses had escaped and ran through central London, a Cardiff City follower thought it wise to relate the incident to the death of Swansea fan Terry Coles, 42.
Swansea reject Cullen contract and trigger one year option
Liam Cullen has had his request for a new contract dismissed by Swansea City after discussions broke down last week. The lowest paid ‘senior’ player at the club ( he is twenty five) asked for a better contract increasing his £3,500 a week to around £7,000 a week over three years.
Gwyn’s Eye View : Norwich City v Swansea City ‘The officials’
Thanks to Gwyn we have a thorough assessment of this weeks officials who will take charge at Carrow Road this Saturday at 3pm. Norwich City will be keen to get the points to guarantee their play off slot, and Saturday is their first go.
Sam Parker hasn’t turned down a new deal, he is willing to negotiate
He was a revelation for the Swans for the few games he played this season, and now it emerges Sam Parker has ‘turned down’ a new Swansea City contract. News is thin on the ground, and some of it just incorrect as he looks to involve his representatives in some further negotiations. Plus his current contract runs for two more years.
Swansea City : The vision is clearer, so Jamal Lowe ?
There were some worrying moments for the Swans yesterday, on three occasions mistakes from playing out from the back nearly saw the home side score. And is there now a case for Jamal Lowe to be offered a contract at Swansea ?
Leighton James : His own football revolution
With the passing of Leighton James yesterday we have a Saturday night treat for football fans, Swans fans and Wales followers the world over. Who can recall the magic boots imposing themselves on clubs throughout Wales and England ?