Pompey star: we should win

On-loan defender Joe Mattock believes Portsmouth are the clear favourites for Saturday's Championship clash against the struggling Sky Blues at Fratton Park.

The West Brom man told the club website: 'On paper, we should win. But the Championship is a very tough league and things can turn around very quickly.

'Coventry are down at the bottom, but they're a decent side with good players and it will be a tough game. But if we approach the match in the right manner then we've got every chance of getting a victory.'

Top scorer Luke Varney and captain Liam Lawrence are both missing for the home side with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.

Three weeks into his reign at the club, new manager Michael Appleton is dealing with the bombshell of a new financial crisis on the South Coast after Portsmouth's parent club went into administration.

'We have a game on Saturday, we are on a four match unbeaten run at home and need to continue that record and try to get ourselves away from that drop zone,' he told The News.

'Ultimately I cannot control what happens off the field, that is not my area.

'I am obviously disappointed with what has happened because I wanted to have an opportunity to take the club forwards.

'On day one of arriving I mentioned a five-year plan - who knows where we stand with that now?'

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