Portsmouth players can smell promotion as confidence flows and they show qualities of genuine contenders

Grinding it Out

The question posed by Shrewsbury was clear from the outset.

In fact, the reality a side struggling without a win in nine league games were going to come to Fratton with a defensive mindset and ask Pompey if they had the minerals to break them down was abundantly apparent even in the build-up to the game.

Midfielder Josh Laurent’s pre-match words more than hinted at the approach, if any clues were actually needed.

Sam Ricketts didn’t have to make any apologies for setting his powerful side out to be hard to break down first and foremost.

No doubt the Shrews’ wing-back formation has been a lot more optimistic than it was at Fratton Park, with it undoubtedly more 5-3-2 than 3-5-2 as Omar Beckles and Sam Hart sat back and made it a defensive blanket with Sean Goss in front of that line of players.

It was a successful approach for much of the wind-swept afternoon, as the game panned out to be the attritional affair many expected in the conditions.

After a first half where clear chances were at a premium, came the forward-thinking change from Kenny Jackett which was rewarded.

And with Shrewsbury’s resistance broken the result rarely looked in doubt as Pompey found a way to grind out the win - a requisite characteristic of promotion contenders.

Harness v Williams

An intriguing battle for the starting spot on the right of Pompey’s 4-2-3-1 formation is developing.

Ryan Williams has been the man in possession of the attacking spot down that flank, but it was Marcus Harness who was given a chance to stake his claim as one of three changes against Shrewsbury.

The two players bring different kinds of attributes to the role and it’s been the Australian’s hard running and greater contribution to the defensive cause that’s been preferred by Kenny Jackett.

On his first league start in nearly a month, Harness brought the direct approach which has often excited supporters since his £1m summer capture from Burton Albion.

There were signs of rustiness, however, as the wrong option was chosen on a couple of occasions as the 23-year-old went for goal with Ellis Harrison and Cameron McGeehan in better positions.

Harness caused a number of problems for Sam Hart, however, who was withdrawn by Sam Ricketts at the interval.

And his ability to put defences on the back foot was rewarded with eight minutes left, as he grabbed the assist for Pompey’s second goal. It now sets up a fascinating duel to start with Williams.

Confidence Coarsing

Joe Gallen could sense it.

There’s a confidence, conviction and camaraderie coarsing through this Pompey side at present which convinced the assistant manager they would return to winning ways against Shrewsbury.

Gallen was adamant the Blues didn’t deserve defeat last Tuesday to a Coventry side who climbed into the automatic promotion berths at the weekend.

More of the same at Fratton Park on Saturday delivered with the business-like approach which propelled a record-breaking winning run, and the right outcome would be achieved.

And Kenny Jackett’s No2 was proved correct as Pompey stuck to the guns and didn’t waver in the face of a stoic Shrewsbury set-up.

Perhaps a packed Fratton Park crowd would’ve got nervous, too, in similar situations throughout Jackett’s rein.

But they’ve become accustomed to Pompey winning and echoed the assurance of their team. That combined belief bodes well with the clash marking a whopping run of eight of the next 10 fixtures arriving at PO4.