Kenny Jackett reveals thoughts on lack of substitutions ahead of Portsmouth's Oxford United play-off clash

The Pompey boss believes the anticipated deluge of substitutions slowing games has been largely avoided since the game’s suspension was lifted amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Jackett has been watching fixtures closely since football hit our screens after a three-and-a-half month lay-off.

One of the key changes has been the increase of permitted substitutes from three to five, with managers allowed three opportunities to make those switches.

Many bosses have opted not to use their full allowance, however, despite their player coming back from a lengthy lay-off.

Jackett has often travelled down the same route with his changes in his Pompey tenure and felt it was interesting many of his peers are not using their allocation in the present circumstances.

Speaking before this weekend’s games, Jackett said: ‘It’s interesting to see it hasn’t really been used that much.

‘Reading about it and looking at the 15-minute slots (from the first weekend) of Championship games maybe Huddersfield did (against Wigan).

‘They were chasing it and didn’t really quite back to it. Everyone else has been pretty sensible, I think.

‘It looks like they’ve got their best teams out there and trusted in those teams.

‘I don’t think there’s been the dramatic amount of subs we’ve necessarily expected.

‘They haven’t used as many and it’s been quite conservative. That’s what I think. The use of the subs has been conservative.’

Jackett has been a keen listener to what managers have been saying after their team’s returns, to see if there’s anything he can garner ahead of Pompey facing Oxford United at Fratton Park on Friday.

He feels the experience of returning under the present constraints has been a learning experience for those sides now back in action.

With Pompey having to deliver at their first time of asking on Friday night, it’s now a position the Blues boss finds himself in.

Jackett added: ‘I think there’s quite a few who are watching, waiting and learning. Particularly the Championship.

‘Looking at the interviews from the managers they’ve learnt from the first weekend and first set of games. Obviously, that’s a luxury that we haven’t got.’