SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell feels the pressure could be more on Portsmouth when they visit Roots Hall this weekend.

The Hampshire side are currently third in the League One standings, three points and one place below the automatic promotion places.

And Powell believes that may mean there is more expectation on Portsmouth to perform on Saturday.

“It’s a big game but maybe the pressure will be more on Portsmouth because people will be expecting them to get the result,” said Powell.

“It’s up to us to turn that in our favour because we need it.

“We know how tight it is and we have to look at Saturday and say bring it on and do the best we can to get the three points.”

Blues head into the clash sitting 14th in the League One standings.

But Powell will not be looking beyond this weekend’s game.

“We have 14 games to go and we have to take it game by game,” said the Blues boss.

“We can’t think about anything but Portsmouth.

“It’s a big, big game when you consider who we’re playing and the TV cameras being here too but we’ll look at our players to do the best they can to take something from the game.”