COWLEY SAYS SORRY TO FANS

Blues boss admits display in home defeat ‘not good enough’

DANNY COWLEY apologised to the Pompey supporters who vented anger at their side’s fourth successive loss.

And the Blues’ boss, pictured, demanded a response following their shoddy showing in the 2-1 home reverse to Cambridge United on Saturday.

The Fratton faithful made their feelings known at what they were watching, as they booed at both half-time and full-time.

They also sang ‘this is embarrassing’ as Liam O’Neil smashed in a spectacular second goal for the visitors.

Cowley felt that reaction was entirely justified as he suffered his third league loss on the spin for just the second time of his managerial career.

He said: ‘The first message is to apologise, because it was a performance which is not good enough for this football club and for our wonderful support.

‘I will take that responsibility – and rightly so.

‘It leaves me disappointed right now.

‘The supporters were great and stayed with us.

‘I thought they deserved more than what we gave them.

‘We accept the criticism which comes our way, because I think it’s fair.

‘The players were short and will know that.

‘We all have to feel the pain and the criticism which will deservedly come our way.’

The challenge for Pompey now is to arrest their slump in form which has derailed a promising start to the season, and leaves them 15th in the League One table.

Cowley explained there will be an inquest to look at the key factors which are impacting the side’s lack of cutting edge, which was still present despite a first goal in four league games, scored by Ronan Curtis.

Then it will be all about putting it right against Plymouth tomorrow night, as a run of five games in 15 days continues.

Cowley added: ‘It took for us to concede the second goal before we showed any kind of response. That’s not good enough.

‘Once we were 2-0 down it’s very difficult.

‘We’re bitterly disappointed because we expect more of ourselves.

‘We have to learn from it and respond.’