Morecambe manager Derek Adams says his side must build on their encouraging home form going into Saturday’s Sky Bet League One clash with Portsmouth at the Mazuma Stadium.
The Shrimps exited both the Emirates FA Cup and the Carabao Cup in the last week, with eyes now firmly fixed on the clash with Pompey, as the Club look to pick up more vital league points.
"We’ve played against two very good sides in Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons,’’ said Adams.
"We did our best to get through but we unfortunately weren’t good enough and we just have to get on with that.
"I know what people are spending elsewhere and it’s extremely difficult, but we’re working hard, and we’ll get there.
"Our aim is to remain in League One, and that hasn’t changed.’’
Danny Cowley’s Portsmouth head to the Mazuma in fifth place in Sky Bet League One, but after a draw against Derby County and a win over Barnsley in the Shrimps’ last two home games, Adams says he is keen to build more momentum on home turf.
"Home form is key," Adams added.
"The more wins we can get at home will give us an opportunity to stay in this league.
"Draws will help us too through the season, but it will be the wins against the teams around us that will be vital, and we haven’t done that well enough so far.
"It’s another challenge, just like all the games in this league. We want to try and stay here. We understand the difficulties, but as a staff and players we know how we are going to get ourselves staying in the league next season.
"We’ve drawn three and won one of our five (in the league). The games we’ve had to play in that time have been very difficult, really hard games with small margins in the games. We’ve competed with the superpowers of the league.
"Every game we go out and try and win. We’ve lost 14 points from winning positions so far this season. With those points, we’d be in the play-offs at this moment in time.’’
Defenders Donald Love and Max Melbourne, and midfielders Shane McLoughlin and Jake Taylor have all returned to training this week, but won’t be ready for the fixture.
Meanwhile, Ash Hunter and Courtney Duffus continue to be unavailable.