Thompson: Our Secret

David Thompson has told the News that Pompey's defending is the secret to our success.

He said;

'The way we defend has been the secret to our success this year, it's as simple as that.

'If we dig in hard then teams are going to find it difficult to break us down. We've got a superb keeper, we've got a good back four, we've got midfielders who are prepared to dig deep and we have got a bit of flair up front with some graft as well.

'That wasn't there against Newcastle and it wasn't a coincidence we lost. It was a strange performance, we didn't expect it and we looked off it to be honest.

'Then we had to go to Anfield, which is a fortress for Liverpool this season, they've been awesome there.

'We had to go there and dig deep, we knew it was going to be tough and it was tough. But we got the draw and a fantastic result.

'We also worked hard the other day against Newcastle, there's no doubt about that, but we didn't keep the ball, we didn't work smart enough. We were a bit erratic and were probably working selfishly.

'But against Liverpool it was back to how we've been playing for the most part of the season.

'We were a unit, we were a team, we were difficult to break down and, to a man, I thought everyone was superb.

'Everyone was clued up, everyone was on everybody's wavelength and we deserved a point.

'People would argue we didn't create many chances but we're Portsmouth and they are Liverpool Football Club, a giant.

'It was only two years ago they were champions of Europe, which just shows what we had against us and I think we came through with flying colours.

'We have to keep up that workrate, we have to gel as a team, we have to dig in. If we do we've shown we can get results.

'Now hopefully we can do what we did against Liverpool and pick some points up against Villa tomorrow.'

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.