Pompey boss Cook worried about away form

(Picture: Action Images)

Portsmouth boss Paul Cook has admitted the club’s away form is a worry after they lost 3-1 at Blackpool.

Their defeat at Bloomfield Road is Pompey’s second consecutive away defeat, and their failure to build on Saturday’s impressive 5-1 mauling of Barnet frustrated Cook.

The Liverpudlian told Radio Solent: “The same players who’ve left us so high on Saturday, have left us feeling so flat on Tuesday.”

“Away from home, you can’t offer yourselves up like we’re doing.

“All the good habits that you’re supposed to have in the game, such as work ethic and desire, weren’t there.”

The disappointing defeat for Pompey meant they lost ground on league leaders Plymouth, who beat nine-man Leyton Orient 2-0 and are now five points clear at the top.

The South Coast club also fell out of the top-three and behind Doncaster on goal difference, who are this weekend’s opponents, but Cook is confident his team can respond to the disappointing result.

He said: “The reality of the game is, if we keep doing what we’re doing there won’t be an issue.

“Over the 14 months I’ve been in charge, there’s always been responses, so I’m not so concerned about Doncaster on Saturday, irrespective of whether we win or lose.

“I’m more concerned about the away form and how we’re playing away.”