Opinion: Burgess has made Portsmouth boss' decision easier

News chief sports writer Neil Allen believes Christian Burgess has made it easy for Pompey boss Kenny Jackett to drop him.
Pompey defender Christian BurgessPompey defender Christian Burgess
Pompey defender Christian Burgess

That's after the defender handed Wycombe a late penalty, by fouling Fred Onyedinma, in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Fratton Park.

Joe Jacobson tucked away the 89th-minute spot-kick to hand Gareth Ainsworth's side a share of the spoils and knock the Blues off the top of the League One table.

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Pompey remain unbeaten despite the result, but could have retained a two-point lead at the summit had it not been for Burgess' costly error.

Pompey defender Christian BurgessPompey defender Christian Burgess
Pompey defender Christian Burgess

The centre-half's mistake is his second in three games, with a misjudged header against Shrewsbury handing them a draw at Fratton Park earlier this month.

Burgess has generally impressed since replacing Jack Whatmough (hamstring injury) in the side for the past four games.

But with Whatmough now fit, Allen believes Jackett could opt to restore his partnership with Matt Clarke for Saturday's trip to Rochdale.

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Speaking in the latest edition of Pompey Talk, Allen said: '˜He (Burgess) played well again, handling Adebayo Akinfenwa, but it was a mistake and for me it was a penalty.

'The player went down a little softly, but Burgess ran into him as the ball's come into the box and you give the referee an easy decision to make.

'For me, it was a penalty. I know it was soft, but you can't barge into players as they are about to receive the ball, especially ones who are maybe looking to go down.

'It was a penalty, put away comfortably, and suddenly three minutes away from what looked a glorious late winner from super-sub Brett Pitman, it's a 2-2 draw.

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'I wouldn't say it was poor game management, it was just a poor decision really.

'And with Jack Whatmough back fit, suddenly it makes it easier for the manager to (make a change).

Kenny Jackett is brutal with his team  selections, he's not fussed who he drops, with a prime example being Pitman.

'You could well see Jack coming into the team on Saturday (against Rochdale).'

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