Pompey boss remains excited over midfielder's progress

Kenny Jackett has praised the '˜class' of Adam May.
Kenny Jackett talks tactics with Adam May during a break in play at WimbledonKenny Jackett talks tactics with Adam May during a break in play at Wimbledon
Kenny Jackett talks tactics with Adam May during a break in play at Wimbledon

And Pompey’s boss has backed the 19-year-old for an enticing future in the game.

The midfielder was left out of the Blues squad on Saturday following a run of eight successive starts.

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Instead, Ben Close was handed an opportunity alongside Stuart O’Keefe in the engine room – and subsequently impressed in the 4-1 win over Fleetwood.

Jackett’s desire to give a breather to May would no doubt have prompted disappointment from the promising youngster.

Nonetheless, there remains a long-term plan in the ongoing development of the academy product.

And the Blues boss has high hopes for the one-time Sutton United loanee.

Jackett said: ‘I like Adam, I have a lot of time for him.

‘He’s got a lot of class, I feel.

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‘Adam’s had a good run and will learn a lot from that. He’s put in some good performances and will only grow and build.

‘Adam May is only going to go one way – and that’s to just keep getting better.

‘At times, even within one game, you see a lot of very good highs and then sometimes some lows. You can get a misplaced pass and then suddenly a great volley against AFC Wimbledon from 30 yards and the keeper makes a great save.

‘That’s where it is. He is looking to eradicate the mistakes and capitalize on the very good things that he has done.

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‘It is not always easy to put aside your mistakes, you need a good mentality and a tough mentality as a footballer. That is what playing is all about. Being in there at 19 years of age, there’s no better learning curve.

‘Adam’s a good player and has a good future.

‘This is early for him and we want to keep working with him to make him a top player for Portsmouth.’

May was initially presented with his maiden start under Jackett for the trip to Cardiff in the Carabao Cup, which finished in a 2-1 loss.

He remained a first-team regular until taken out of the side for last weekend’s Cod Army visit.

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There was a glimpse of a potential change when Close replaced May in the 57th minute of the trip to Northampton last Tuesday night.

Close was subsequently handed a first league start since May 2016 – and is now the player to dislodge.

Regardless, May has caught the eye during his first-team run and is earmarked for a return when necessary.

And Pompey’s boss remains a big admirer of the teenager’s talents.

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Jackett added: ‘I think Adam has a little bit of everything.

‘His range of passing is good, he can get a shot in, he’s a good runner, he’s around 6ft 2in and has pretty much everything going for him.

‘It’s up to him now to put everything together.

‘Right now we want to get to a really effective League One team, a winning team.

‘However, we get there and whatever we do, developing your own players has to be part of that, definitely.’