New Portsmouth boss' message to his players after maiden Ipswich win

The new Blues head coach oversaw a come-from-behind 2-1 success over Paul Cook’s Ipswich at Fratton Park - after his appointment just yesterday.

It was the first time the Blues had won after conceding first for nearly two years with Tom Naylor and Marcus Harness getting the goals.

Cowley’s influence was evident with his team playing on the front foot and showing an increase in tempo.

But the 42-year-old felt the players deserved the accolades after a testing week.

He said: ‘It’s a great start, an important win at an important time of the season.

‘I just want to credit the players and the football staff.

‘It’s been a hugely tough week for them when you consider what they’ve been through.

‘They lost after extra-time at Wembley and then a manager who was highly thought of in the dressing room lost his job.

‘They then had to go to the leaders on Tuesday, where they came up a little bit short.

‘So to show the desire and intensity they showed, we weren’t free-flowing, but we showed an incredible amount of determination and resilience.’