Posh boss Ferguson wants players to 'get the momentum back' after two straight defeats

After a stunning run of form in February that saw Posh win six league one games in a row to storm to the top of the table, they have hit a bit of a wall so far in March.

Their three games have resulted in a draw and two defeats, and last Tuesday they suffered a damaging 3-1 home reverse at the hands of a Hull City team that has replaced them at the summit.

Posh were without a game at the weekend, but aside from Hull seeing off Oxford United 2-0 to go six points clear it was a good day for Fergie's men as third-placed Lincoln City lost at home to Rochdale and fifth-placed Doncaster were held at home by Northampton Town.

With Sunderland and Pompey in EFL Trophy finals action at Wembley, it meant only two of the top 10 claimed league victories, leaving Posh sitting pretty in the second automatic promotion place.

A win over a Pompey side who sacked manager Kenny Jackett on Sunday will see Fergie's men move to within three points of the table-topping Tigers with two games in hand, and the Posh boss wants to see his players rise to the occasion.

"I feel we can get the momentum back very quickly on Tuesday night," said Ferguson.

"Hull won on Saturday, but Lincoln lost, so I feel we can get that momentum back but again it is a case that we have to go into this game really positive, pick up another three points, and move on to the next one."

And he added: "The month of February has put us in a strong position, where if we lose a game you are still in a strong position coming out of it.

"We are at a stage now where we drew at Oxford and have lost the last two league games, but we are still right in there.

"Now, from Tuesday night we need to go back on a run, and the main thing is we have to win this game.

"We are sort of on the cusp now and it is about do we kick on again? That's the important bit and we have to do that and the players are really positive.

"The players came in on Saturday, they are fresh and looking good, and yes we have had some injuries and some issues, but we have to get on with it, whatever team I pick.

"We need to make sure we are at it."

Ethan Hamilton was sent off for two bookings in the first half of last week's defeat to Hull and is suspended for the Portsmouth match, while Jack Taylor, Ronnie Edwards and Flynn Clarke are all injured.

"We just need to crack on, and I have said all along that we have got a strong enough squad," said Ferguson.

"I think that has been emphasised by the players like H (Harrison Burrows) coming in and doing ever so well, and he is very close and given me a real problem.

"Mo (Eisa) has come on in games and done well, Ricky (Jade-Jones) has done well, so we have got players that can come in and we are going to need them all."