Having just watched his side extend their recent run of form with a 2-1 win at Fratton Park on Saturday, Darren Sarll wasn't shy in showing his delight after the game.
The result made it 10 points out of the last possible 12 for Boro as a strong second half showing brought back the three points to North Hertfordshire.
Portsmouth went into the game on the back of a big away win at Luton and Sarll says his players handled the opposition’s early enthusiasm well.
“They had that little bit of momentum from playing Tuesday and I watched them play at Luton and thought they were fabulous. Human nature tells you that they would probably come out with a lot of belief, a lot of excitement to get the game going and show the home fans what they did on Tuesday.
“I thought we handled that, there was only a shot that hit the post in the first half which really worried me but apart from that I thought we defended ok, just a little bit too deep.”
The scoring was opened through Steven Schumacher in the second half and Sarll says that is exactly why he is back in the team.
“He has got that and he is back in the side to give us that. To give us a goal or an assist from midfield. I thought he handled himself terrifically well last week in his first game and you know the second games are always the toughest.
“So it was important that we managed Steve but once we got that second goal obviously we just wanted to manage the game and put ourselves in a good defensive position so that we can see it out.”
Matt Godden got his sixth league goal of the season shortly after to extend the lead and the manager couldn’t have been more pleased with how his striker is playing.
“If you present chances to Matthew, he will score goals. Of late, because we have played away so much and we have had to be very compact, we haven’t really been able to open up and provide him with chance, after chance, after chance. But, he thrives on scraps doesn’t he the kid, so fair play to him.”
Currently on the clubs best run of results for 18 months, Sarll says it allows the team to look up the table now.
“They have worked very hard, they show a terrific enthusiasm and they play for each other – that is the important thing. I am very proud of them and very proud to be the manager of the football club.
“What it allows us to do is it allows us to go away and believe. It allows us for the first time in my tenure as manager, to not look behind us but to look in front. Now if they can’t believe after a performance like they have shown today, then they never will. So hopefully this is the start of a very promising short, middle and long-term future for us.”