Jackett adamant Portsmouth loanees will come good

The Blues' temporary recruits have gone through mixed starts since dropping down from the Championship to come to Fratton Park.

Ben Thompson, David Wheeler, Joe Mason and Andre Green all arrived from English football's second tier with hopes high they could make a big impact.

Thompson has started five games, with five outings off the bench, while the other three players have mustered a combined 176 league minutes between them.

Wheeler (ankle) and Green (knee) are currently injured and not expected to be back until November.

But Jackett has belief Pompey fans will see why the players were brought in as they bid to maintain their promotion charge through the winter months.

He said: '˜The lads were last in and have needed to be patient.

'˜They knew that coming in and it was explained to them.

'˜Obviously, when a player comes in it can change the very next week.

'˜It only takes two injuries, a sending off or just a bad performance that can bring a change in formation or personnel.

'˜That can change the circumstance of what is available to them.

'˜Portsmouth is a big draw and a good club to come to.

'˜You know at some stage there will be injuries, suspensions, loss of form, energy and, in the case of Ronan Curtis, an international call-up.

'˜Something will happen. You are working in those 20-plus numbers of senior players to get some competition and keep people on their toes.

'˜You try to bring out the best in people and cater for situations as a club.

'˜We're about to finish a run of five games in 15 days. It's very unlikely the 11 who started the first game will finish the fifth.

'˜It's very, very unlikely and if you want to be successful you need a group to cater for that.'

Jackett has drawn praise from his loan players for the open dialogue he had with them over the possibility of limited playing time, and the Pompey boss feels that's been an important approach.

He added: '˜There's players who didn't come who I spoke to.

'˜I spoke to a few wide players and said the form is there with the wingers, they look okay and they will probably start.

'˜I said it wasn't definite but it was probable and they had to understand that.

'˜You need to be clear with a player about what they are coming in to.

'˜It can be very disappointing for someone if  they sign, come in on Thursday and thinks they are going straight into the team.

'˜There was realism about all the conversations and they'd either have to wait for their chance, work hard, be patient and, most importantly, be ready to take it when the chance comes. That's the big thing.'