My clipping from the Sunday edition
Nicky Shorey is sure both his new club and his old one have enough to survive the drop.
Shorey, 32, joined Portsmouth's scrap to stay in the football league last week when he signed from Bristol City who are facing their own relegation battle in League One. The former England defender said:
"There's a great feeling of togetherness here and I think this game showed that we're all in it together. We want to get up the table as quickly as we can and grow as a team. I'm sure we can do that."
And Shorey revealed there were no hard feelings towards former club City and manager Steve Cotterill. He revealed:
"Steve Cotterill was really straight with me and honest as well. He tried to help me so I've got nothing but respect for him and I think they'll do well under him too."
Meanwhile Oxford new boy Nicky Wroe, 28, already has an eye on glory after signing from Preston on loan for the rest of the campaign and he sees similarities with the Shrewsbury side he won promotion with in 2012. He revealed:
"This team's just as strong as that team. We've got a good chance. There's enough quality in this squad to go out and challenge and there's no reason why we can't be up there. I'm going for another promotion definitely."
Pompey were lucky to survive a late scare when Oxford defender Johnny Mullins fired in a long range volley in the dying seconds, but keeper Trevor Carson was alert to the threat.
Oxford had the better chances in a poor game and both full backs came close to scoring in the space of three minutes.
Left back Tom Newey nodded over a Danny Rose corner from eight yards in the 32nd minute and David Hunt curled a free kick just over the bar after Shorey had fouled winger Sean Rigg on the edge of the 'D'.
Winger Jed Wallace had Portsmouth's best effort before the break, but blasted wildly over from the edge of the box.
Oxford manager Chris Wilder was pleased to see his play-off contenders avoid losing a third successive home game, but admitted:
"We're just looking for a spark or a little bit of magic from somewhere to get our noses in front.It was a tough game. They gave their all for their football club and my lads gave their all for our football club. It just seemed to miss that little bit of magic. We've just got to keep going - it's a long season.""
Richie Barker has only won one of six games since taking over as Pompey boss and said:
"It's not our job to come away and entertain other people's fans. It's our job to grind out results and become more difficult to beat. I'm pleased that we've kept three clean sheets in four."
Barker made five changes to his starting line up and Portsmouth have now only won one league game in the last eleven, but the manager was still positive despite being one point above the relegation places. He said:
"I don't think we'll be selling too many DVDs of that one, but it's our job to grind out results and make sure we're a difficult team to beat. I'm pleased the players didn't roll over and die. Away from home we did what was necessary against a team who have been in the promotion or play-off places for most of the season."
My piece from the Monday paper
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