Pompey boss reveals who he reckons are the most-feared sides in League One

Pompey boss Danny Cowley reveals who he reckons are the most-feared sides in League One ahead of their weekend meeting with Bolton.

The Portsmouth head coach has offered an insight while also admitting he admires the boasting from Trotters manager Ian Evatt who dubbed his own side the ‘best in their division’.

The South coast outfit are set to find out just how good they are when Bolton visit Fratton Park on Saturday afternoon.

In the meantime, Cowley has revealed his stand-outs so far, with fifth-placed Rotherham, Sunderland – in fourth – and early promotion tippers Ipswich getting a mention.

He said: ‘I thought Rotherham were powerful, they had all the tools needed to be a very successful League One team.

‘I thought Sunderland were good in the lead up, but we were obviously able to perform really well on the day (against them).

‘All the things that hadn’t been going our way went our way in that game.

‘Certainly, Sunderland in the lead up (were the stand-out team), but not on the day.

‘Ipswich have got some top players as well, that goes without saying.’

Pompey have made a slow start to their League One campaign and currently sit 16th having won just four of their opening 14 fixtures.

Cowley admired the confidence of Bolton counterpart Evatt when self-assessing his side, though he said it would not be a stance he’d adopt when talking about one of his teams.

Cowley said: ‘It’s great when a manager has that confidence in his team.

‘Certainly for Ian, he’s had two promotions in two seasons, so he won’t be short of belief in himself.

‘It wouldn’t be what I chose to say, personally, but it’s great that he’s got that belief in his players and good luck to them.’

Cowley also urged ‘we need you’ – asking for Portsmouth fans’ help ahead of crucial Bolton game and hugely important period in the season.

The game against their 13th-placed opposition is the first of four home fixtures on the bounce for Cowley’s men.

It could even be five in a row if the away trip to Wycombe on Saturday the 13th of November is rescheduled because of international call-ups.

And he wants the home support as an advantage in what will be a crucial period – with the campaign one which Cowley himself believes could be a turning point following 13 fixtures in all competitions with just one win.

He was honest enough to admit the supporters won’t all of a sudden see a side brushing opponents away with ease just because they are in full voice.

He also insisted it’s not as simple as that given the run the Blues have been on in recent weeks, but he said the players’ task will be made a much easier with the supporters’ unwavering backing.

He insisted progress will be made quicker if the club’s loyal fan base can once again demonstrate their influence.

Cowley told The News: ‘We know it won’t be easy (against Bolton), we’re going to need everybody.

‘The Portsmouth supporters are intelligent enough and know football well enough to know when a team needs them.

‘They’ve always been this club’s 12th man and we have a run of home games – four, potentially five, back-to-back games at Fratton Park that can be a real turning point in our season.

‘It won’t be easy, it won’t be straightforward, we’re not going to go from the moment that we’re in to playing brilliantly in one fell swoop.

‘It’s something we have to work towards and we’re going to need them (the fans) every step of the way because if they can be positive and they can stay with the team, which they’ve done brilliantly (then brilliant).

‘I mean. what other League One team takes more than 900 away to Accrington on the back of a week that we had?

‘For us, that’s truly humbling to see, to have that many supporters make that long journey.

‘If everybody can get in the ground early on Saturday and get right behind the team, I know, together, that we can start to make progress.’

Fans reacted as the Pompey boss reveals who he reckons are the most-feared sides in League One before urging supporters to give his side a big boost on Saturday…

@Charlie40485286: Let’s see on Saturday then eh Danny 🤔 so far it’s all talk and absolutely no delivery on the pitch.

Kevin Smith: Bolton, best in division, bring them on then, let them prove it. PUPPPU

Sam Dedman: if we lose tomorrow cowley out 100%

James Bateman: Make sure you win as you don’t want your Windows getting put through again.

Pete Molloy: Cowley out

Keith Taylor: It takes the team on the pitch wearing blue to give 100% to win, showing individual skills to get the crowd going, not the other way round!

Kevin Smith: We shouldn’t need to be asked should we, NO. Where are you????

John Osborne: Sadly we will get beaten

Geoff Macey: Results speak louder than words

Michael Cox: Look Danny. The fans can only do there best. Keep it simple on the pitch 👍

Steve Ingram: We can sing our hearts out like we’ve done all season at home but if the team play shite it won’t make any difference

Marilyn Kirby: COUNT ME IN!!! let’s encourage our team, not slag them off!!! Come on Pompey fans let’s just get on with it!!! 💙💙💙 PUP. PPU

Greg Perrett: Wake up Man!!

Johnny Gray: Erm erm erm erm erm

Steve Brown: 3 points no less

Phil Sainsbury: It’s in your hands danny boy!

Kyle Collings: Feeling good about Saturday. Let’s get it boys! PUP🤘