Remarkable record now stands at 679 days

IT’S a 679-day record that Pompey are well aware of – and don’t want it to end, writes WILL ROONEY.

And Joe Gallen put the reason why the Blues haven’t lost successive league games for almost two years down to the sheer determination inside the dressing room.

Pompey ensured their remarkable achievement continued on Saturday when they beat Peterborough 2-0, having suffered an abject 1-0 defeat at Blackpool five days prior.

It was on January 31, 2019 when Kenny Jackett’s side last suffered back-to-back reverses in the third tier.

Against the backdrop of defeats to Blackpool and Oxford, Pompey were on the wrong side of an entertaining 3-2 result at eventual champions Luton.

Consecutive losses haven’t occurred in the Blues’ subsequent 70 games, however, as the record creeps closer to two years.

And Gallen heaped praise on the players and manager Kenny Jackett for the outstanding feat.

Pompey’s assistant manager said: ‘We didn’t play great at Blackpool and they are quite a good side, who won again on Saturday against Fleetwood.

‘Our own performance wasn’t right but there is a real determination from everyone in the changing room to make sure we don’t lose two league games on the bounce.

‘There is a stat out there that shows it hasn’t happened for a long time, which is good going.

‘I’d say well done to the players because you could feel in the team meeting and the warm-up (on Saturday) that there was a real determination to right a few wrongs.

‘Fair play to the players because it’s a remarkable feat over a number of years.

‘This season, we lost to Charlton and up at Lincoln there was a real determination to make sure we didn’t lose two on the bounce.

‘We never want to lose any game and give all we’ve got all the time but sometimes it’s not your day.

‘The manager picks the team and it was the same team against Peterborough, but we went back to a 4-2-3-1 formation which we’ve played mainly here.

‘You have to give the manager credit for doing that because Ryan Williams’ closing down was excellent in the second half.

‘Then you’ve got to say well done to the players because there is a determination not to lose two on the trot.’