Appleton praises spirit of players

Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton wants his players to continue to show the right attitude as they face the difficult trip to play Birmingham in the npower Championship.

Appleton praised his players for the way they have approached games during the current financial difficulties at Fratton Park.

With Saturday's game against Hull called off because of the weather the Pompey players are still buoyed by the 3-0 win over Peterborough, their most recent fixture.

Appleton told the club website: "We've got to concentrate on what we do on the field and not worry about what goes on off it. I sat down with the players and staff and said from our point of view that we have to stay together. We understand the situation the club is in at the moment.

"We've got a decent bunch of players here who are respectful of how hard things are at the minute and I'm sure they'll continue to show the right attitude and application that they've displayed over this period that has been difficult for us.

"Times are difficult for us but I don't want an excuse culture at the football club. I can't speak highly enough of the players because they've applied themselves to the absolute in every game."