How Pompey's boss has helped defender mature
The Gosport talent revealed how the Pompey boss has made him more mature as a person, as well as drilling into him the importance of winning his indiviudal battles during matches.
Yesterday marked Jackett’s first anniversary as boss after succeeding Paul Cook in the Fratton Park hotseat.
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Hide AdThe 56-year-old guided the Blues to an eighth-place finish in League One in his maiden season in charge.
Whatmough featured 16 times under Jackett – although a knee injury picked up in September sidelined the defender for more than six months.
When the 21-year-old did return to action in March, he was handed a nine-game run in Pompey’s team.
However, a groin setback he picked up in the 1-0 defeat to Charlton curtailed his campaign with two games remaining.
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Hide AdAlthough he didn’t feature as much as he’d have liked to under Jackett, the manager still had a significant impact on Whatmough developing off the field.
The academy product believes that’s because of his boss’ outlook on the game.
Whatmough said: ‘He’s had a massive inpact on me as a person to mature.
‘He’s a very professional man and that’s matured me as a person. At certain times I’ve gone to have a laugh when I shouldn’t and that’s made me grow up a bit more.
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Hide Ad‘Whether that’s me growing up with age or not I don’t know – I doubt it.
‘His ways on football are different to other managers I’ve had. It’s just football, football, football which is good. In even pre-season it’s all football-based. You know that he’s football mad.
‘As a player, for your manager to be like that is enjoyable.’
When Whatmough returned to full fitness in March, he started in a three-man defence alongside Matt Clarke and Christian Burgess in a 3-1 loss to Gillingham.
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Hide AdWhen Jackett reverted to a back four at Oldham the following week, it was Burgess who was dropped to the bench.
Whatmough only lost his starting spot because a groin complaint prematurely ended his campaign.
During the past year, the centre-back has enjoyed working Jackett.
And, although it was a trait he already had, ensuring he won his personal duels has been something driven into him.
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Hide Ad‘Things are very tactical and you stick to a way of what you get taught,’ added Whatmough.
‘On the ball, I’ve become a bit more relaxed – that’s how I feel.
‘I also feel that my defending has definitely picked up.
‘Winning my battles is something I’ve always had – I’ve always won my battles.
‘But last season I felt like it was drilled in that it’s so important to win my battles.
‘That’s been drilled into me a little bit and made me want to make sure that I’m not the one to let people down.’