Source: Team_Talk
Cotterill: We need Lawrence energy
Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill thinks he has found his very own 'Energiser Bunny' in Liam Lawrence following his side's 1-0 win at Millwall.[LNB] The on-loan Stoke midfielder has had a huge impact in Pompey's upturn in fortunes this season and his penalty in Tuesday night's Championship clash at The New Den made it a fifth game unbeaten.[LNB]Lawrence now has five goals to his name since he arrived on the south coast along with Dave Kitson in a deadline day switch from Stoke.[LNB]"He gives us energy, and quality down the right," said Cotterill.[LNB]"He's an energiser, and that has a habit of rubbing off on other people.[LNB]"He's been fantastic since he came, he gives a lot and when he gets his rewards you feel he deserves them.[LNB]"We got him, Kitson, and a few bob. So I was delighted with that."[LNB]Lawrence's big moment arrived in the 78th minute of an otherwise uninspiring encounter.[LNB]Chris Hackett tripped David Nugent in the area and Lawrence stepped up to send David Forde the wrong way.[LNB]Pompey are now in the heady heights of mid-table following their horror start to the season and, with an exit from administration finally on the cards this week, things are looking up.[LNB]"It's a bit better," added Cotterill.[LNB]"We had a really tough start. Everyone said we had a good starting XI but our pre-season was an absolute joke.[LNB]"We found it hard, we didn't have enough running in us, but now we've found our legs."[LNB]Millwall will count themselves unfortunate with the woodwork denying both Hackett and Alan Dunne in the second half.[LNB]But boss Kenny Jackett knows his promoted side will have to improve or they will soon find themselves at the wrong end of the table.[LNB]"We can play a lot better," admitted Jackett.[LNB]"It was a tight game, but our passing wasn't constructive enough.[LNB]"In the second half as the home side, attacking our own end, we were very predictable.[LNB]"We usually create chances, but here we didn't.[LNB]"We've had some good days but we've had some poor days as well. The gap between sixth and the relegation places will not be much this season."
