Jackett: Building from back is key to Pompey confidence

Pompey head to Fleetwood tonight in League One without a clean sheet in 12 games.

Their last shut-out came against Bury on December 16, with the 1-0 win at Fratton Park taking the Blues to outside the play-off places on goal difference.

Fast forward two months to the present day, though, and Pompey now sit 10th in the table - five points behind sixth-placed Charlton, who have a game in hand.

Only one win has been secured during that period, with 19 goals conceded in the process.

Following Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Southend, Jackett cancelled the players' day off on Sunday in order to find answers to his side's recent defensive frailties.

Whether he succeeded in finding a solution will be immediately put to the test tonight when the Blues face the Cod Army at Highbury Stadium.

Jackett accepts keeping Fleetwood at bay could be the boost his side need to renew their play-off ambitions.

The Pompey manager said: 'For our good periods this season, we were tough to play against and hard to score against.

'Through January and February that hasn't been the case.

'The facts are that it's 12 games since we got a clean sheet - against Bury on the 16th of December.

'That needs to change, but clean sheets on the road, of course, they're not enough.

'And saying that is the only target for a run or the run of game we've got is not right either.

'But it's the basis from which you can draw confidence, build confidence on the ball and then ultimately go forward and score goals.

'It's part of the process, not everything, but I do feel is hurting us at the moment.

'Generally, the good sides' goals against column is zero and one and that gives you a chance to win some points.'