Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett is looking for the home fans to make the difference when they welcome Oxford United to Fratton Park this Sunday in front of the SKY cameras.
Pompey are without a win at Fratton Park this year and come into the game on the back of three straight defeats.
‘From our point of view, nine points out of 12 in the last four away games is a good return' Jackett told the official Portsmouth website. ‘But, similarly, it’s one point out of 12 at home. That’s disappointing. Even six or seven points. Think how that would’ve helped us?
‘Traditionally, it’s harder to earn points away from home. So, yes, we do need to perform well. Sunday will probably be a bumper crowd with a good atmosphere.With us still being in with a shout there will be a good degree of optimism there.
‘They will be looking to get behind their team at the start of the game. Then it’s up to us. That’s what I feel. Fans, all fans, react to what they see on the pitch. It’s up to us and our responsibility to take that responsibility. If things don’t go particularly well they will react off what they see. So that’s our responsibility and the position we’re in.
‘For us, anyway, it’ll be a great crowd and a chance and opportunity to get a fantastic atmosphere there.That can only help us win on Sunday, but also be positive and successful in the future. We have a crowd who want to get behind a good team and a successful and winning team. For us, on Sunday that will be the case again.
‘With nine games left we need a better points return.We have to see Sunday as an opportunity, because that’s exactly what it is. There will be a bumper game and we need to get them behind us.’