Bennett: Pompey are the best - but need to prove it

The Blues attacking midfielder feels his men showcased their talent in the midweek win at Accrington. Now the task is to continue in the same vein against Newport County at Fratton Park tomorrow. A win against the Exiles will make it 13 points from 15 and, for Bennett, guarantee real impetus at a crucial time in the season. But Paul Cook’s side have already seen this season that their opponents can be a tough nut to crack. A 1-0 win was picked up at Rodney Parade in October, in a game where Pompey were really made to graft for victory. Bennett knows, however, a repeat of the Stanley performance will harvest three points. He said: ‘We saw at their place Newport were quite resilient, although we won 1-0. It was a tough game up there. ‘If they come and sit back it’s about us trying to break them down. ‘If we can replicate that first 45 minutes on Tuesday, though, we are the best team in the league. That’s what we have to do. ‘If you win an amount of games we’ll go up. That’s our aim. ‘The next one’s Newport – if we win against them we’re flying. ‘It’s important we cap off a good couple of weeks with three points against Newport County. ‘It’s important we build on what we’ve achieved against them at Fratton Park.’ Pompey didn’t hide from highlighting the significance of Tuesday’s trip to Accrington in the build-up to the game. And, after the victory, Cook was adamant the result would send out a message to their promotion rivals. Bennett is in agreement with his manager, and knows the teams above the Blues in the table will see them in their rear-view mirror. Pompey undoubtedly have the talent in their ranks to be able to produce a run of victories over the final 11 games of the campaign. And Bennett feels that fact isn’t going to lost on his team’s rivals. ‘The gaffer said we have the opportunity to send out a message to a few people. We’ve done that,’ he said. ‘People will be looking at us knowing we’ve got the players to do it. ‘After the last few weeks, 10 points out of 12 is a great return. ‘People will be looking over their shoulders now.’ – JORDAN CROSS