Tyler relieved by Pompey clean sheet after Wycombe debacle

Luton had produced a toothless display in their miserable Boxing Day reverse to the Chairboys, failing to register a single shot on target.

Although they still didn’t overly exert Pompey keeper Brian Murphy at Fratton Park either, the 1,600 travelling supporters were appreciative of a defensive rearguard that stopped a run of 17 goals conceded in just six games to keep a first clean sheet since November 21.

Tyler said: “It was a bad game against Wycombe, we didn’t play anywhere near the way Luton Town should do and you saw the determination, grit that Andy’s (Awford) drilled it into us the last couple of days.

“We all let ourselves down on Boxing Day and we’ve just got to rectify that on our home patch, show that commitment and determination, putting bodies on the line which should be a given in any football game.

“Portsmouth had a lot of possession, we knew it was going to be tough, sort of like the Peterborough game, but the boys put their bodies on their line and I only had three or four saves. That’s my job, as I thought the boys in front were magnificent.”

Hatters had set up to make sure they were going to make it as hard as possible for Pompey to break through, utilising a number of delaying tactics not usually seen by visiting Luton sides.

Tyler said: “We had a gameplan, went through it and once they get a head of steam here it’s loud.

“We wanted to try and get the crowd silent, like when we play at home if we’re not doing things right.

“Sometimes you’ve got to frustrate them, that’s what we did with taking our time on set-pieces and free kicks, stuff like that. A clean sheet was essential, so we just try to slow their pace as they’ve got quick free kicks.”