‘As a football club’: Former Arsenal man sends no-nonsense Portsmouth message as Blues topple Millwall
Pompey ended their six-game winless run in sensational style on Saturday afternoon, with a 3-1 win over Millwall.
Zak Swanson is adamant Pompey have to use Saturday’s 3-1 triumph over Millwall as a springboard to get their Championship campaign back on track.
And the 25-year-old believes the Blues’ ‘proper’ performance has been coming despite a frustrating recent run of form.
John Mousinho’s men ended their six-game winless run with an enthralling display against Alex Neil’s side, with Swanson, Adrian Segecic and Jordan Williams all netting in the 3-1 triumph at Fratton.
Despite 10-man Millwall scoring a second-half goal through Mihailo Ivanovic, Pompey were able to secure their first maximum points in the league since October 4.
And after a frustrating run, which saw defeats to Birmingham City, Hull City and Coventry City, Swanson is adamant the performances have been growing from the Blues, with victory over Millwall a much-needed confidence boost.
The clear Pompey message after Millwall triumph
He said: ‘It was well-needed I think. As a football club that was exactly what we needed, the fans needed it. I think if you look at the results we’ve had, we’ve been beaten by the odd goal bar Birmingham, so we’ve been waiting for a performance like that - especially at home.
‘We’ve been waiting to really kick start our home form sort of where we finished off from last season.
‘We didn’t start the season like that at home and that’s exactly what we needed, something like that where the fans are onside, we’re scoring goals again like we are.
‘We haven’t scored as many goals as last season - especially at home and that is where our season was last season.
‘I don’t really know (why Pompey haven’t scored as many goals). It’s a team thing, as it is defending, when you concede goals it's a team thing. We are a proper team.
‘Having Murphy back really helps, you know what it’s like. Obviously seeing Langy come back today, that is the difference players make.
‘As a squad competing for positions it makes players push more. We needed to win at home and hopefully that will kick start our home form and we can kick-on from that.
‘We need to, that’s exactly what it is. It was this time last year (the 3-1 triumph over Preston) , especially with Colby coming back at that time. We need to push on from that.
‘When you lose games you try and bounce back but when you win games you need to keep that momentum going.
‘We’ve got two more games this week so hopefully we can make it a nine point week.’
Zak Swanson lifts lid on mood after poor Pompey run
Despite a promising start to the season, the Blues had won just one of their previous 11 going into Saturday’s game against Millwall.
And Swanson has lifted the lid on the mood in the Blues camp - and made it clear the triumph over the Lions will further boost competition in the side.
‘It’s been flat when you lose games, no one's happy but we’ve got such a good dressing room with lads that really want to work hard for each other and that shows.
‘When we do win that’s a massive thing. We are all trying to push each other to get into the team.’