Pompey boss: Youngster can prove critics wrong

Kenny Jackett has backed Adam May to silence the critics after a triumphant return to Pompey's side.
Adam May. Picture: Mark RobinsonAdam May. Picture: Mark Robinson
Adam May. Picture: Mark Robinson

The teenager was handed a first appearance in five matches for Tuesday night’s trip to Fleetwood.

The Blues claimed a 2-1 win, with Jackett hailing the midfielder’s performance as a season’s best.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

May also struck the inside of the post with a stunning second-half shot from long-range during an impressive personal showing.

Pompey boss Kenny Jackett. Picture: Mark RobinsonPompey boss Kenny Jackett. Picture: Mark Robinson
Pompey boss Kenny Jackett. Picture: Mark Robinson

The homegrown product has attracted criticism from some sections of supporters during his breakthrough campaign at Fratton Park.

Yet following 16 appearances this term, Jackett observes encouraging development in the talented youngster.

He said: ‘I think Adam deserves his chance again in the centre of midfield and he responded very well on Tuesday night. I felt he was excellent.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘If a few fans have sort of got on him slightly, it hasn’t shaken him at all.

Pompey boss Kenny Jackett. Picture: Mark RobinsonPompey boss Kenny Jackett. Picture: Mark Robinson
Pompey boss Kenny Jackett. Picture: Mark Robinson

‘What you have to do in professional football is always prove people wrong and that’s the case here.

‘The fans will soon go with him if he plays like he did at Fleetwood because I felt he was excellent.

‘For me that was his best performance of the season and I am pleased with him in terms of his progress.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘His range of passing against Fleetwood was excellent. I thought he competed well. Both he and Ben Close showed a really good spirit in there.

‘A goal would have capped it off. It would have been deserved.

‘It was a great strike. He has a really good right foot and hopefully can have a good run between now and the end of the season.

‘We are targeting 15 to 20 games, that’s what I told him at the start of the campaign and he will be on course for that.

‘Adam has shown good progress.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

May spent the majority of last season on loan at National League side Sutton United.

He also featured in an FA Cup run which saw them face Arsenal, culminating in a 2-0 defeat for the non-leaguers.

Yet a change of Fratton Park manager has subsequently benefitted his first-team involvement.

Meanwhile, Jackett is hopeful Fleetwood can also provide impetus for Matty Kennedy – and a potential new strike partnership of Conor Chaplin and Oli Hawkins.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added: ‘Kennedy is coming back from an ankle injury and I hope he can put that behind him now.

‘It has not been a big one but a niggling ankle injury that just held him up slightly.

‘Also, Hawkins and Chaplin up front is quite a natural partnership and one we haven’t necessarily seen before during the season.

‘If you do get injuries that’s what you want as manager, you don’t want to change too many things.

‘It can be a well-balanced team, where people are in their right positions.’