Pompey's Aaron Mokoena Talks About Tonight

Last updated : 22 September 2009 By Thetashkentterror

Aaron Mokoena
Portsmouth midfielder Aaron Mokoena spoke to his club's official website about the Carling Cup third round tie between Carlisle and Pompey at Brunton Park this evening, the South African international not knowing much about the Cumbrians :


" To be fair we don't know much about them, and we have only watched a clip about them. But one thing about playing these kinds of teams is that it will always be difficult. First of all they have got nothing to lose and then they are playing against a Premier League club which will they always want to win against. They are playing at home as well so that is all we know about them, it is always difficult against these teams.

" For them they have got nothing to lose and we will have travelled a long way so it is an advantage for them. They will be coming out there to win against us so we are all aware about those kinds of things. It is up to us really, we need this game badly, it is a game that we want to set the platform from and take into the Wigan game.

" The Hereford game wasn't easy either, we made it easy in a way by scoring a lot of goals. We also know that for teams coming to Fratton Park it is always difficult and that game was one of the difficult games. But it was one of those nights where we managed to score a few goals, which is what makes the game really. It goes onto tonight's game, as tough as it is going to be we just have to really go out there and make use of the chances that we will be creating.

" The Carling Cup is very, very important, it is a cup that can take the club to Europe and each and every player wants to play in Europe. The club want to be in Europe which is a big stage for everyone and more especially to everyone connected with Portsmouth Football Club.

" So it is very, very important, it is always important to win things and the Carling Cup is not just a cup, it is a cup that we want to go as far as possible in. It would be great to play at Wembley, I see myself being at Portsmouth for years to come so for me actually it is all about setting the platform right now. It would be good actually to go as far as possible in this cup and who knows, anything can always happen. "



" It has always been important to have the support of the fans, for the fact that we know actually how fantastic the supporters can be. They keep us going, we always step onto the field knowing that we are not only representing ourselves but that we are also representing those supporters. We try to give it our all so that they can really have something to cheer for.

" Aston Villa was incredible, but for us as players as well we wanted to win that game badly. We gave it our all but unfortunately luck wasn't on our side, but that has gone past now. We tried to digest it and now it is all about tonight's game which is really, really important, and moving into the weekend as well.

" I have always been confident, I am here because our supporters can always make it difficult for other opponents. Supporting the players and supporting the team is what the club needs and it is what the players need, so their support has been fantastic to the team. I have got no doubts that we can stay up and that we can do well in the season.

" Yes I know now that it is a bit difficult for fans to accept the situation we are in at the moment, but I am still saying that we as players have a belief. There is a belief among the players and the spirit is unbelievable here, we just need that luck where we can really build a platform to build from, we will still be working hard so that we can get the win as soon as possible. "