Pompey verdict: Individual errors, dips in form and poor decisions made

Defensive unit

Pompey made it 12 matches without a clean sheet following a 3-1 defeat at Southend, much to the frustration of Kenny Jackett.

Branding his defence ‘brittle’, he criticised individual errors, dips in form and poor decision making as the reasons behind the worrying run.

Christian Burgess, Matt Clarke and Luke McGee featured in the backline which amassed four successive clean sheets during November and December.

Overall, that period yielded six shut-outs in eight fixtures, during an excellent winning run which lifted the Blues into the play-offs.

Now they are without a clean sheet since December 16.

What’s more, with Nathan Thompson suspended and Jack Whatmough feeling his way back from injury, there are few options for change.

Lowe on a high

Other than suspension, Jamal Lowe has featured in every match of the Jackett regime, in a variety of positions.

However, he has netted just once since September, while provided very few assists during that same period as he establishes himself.

Yet the talented former Hampton & Richmond man was comfortably Pompey’s stand-out performer during a disappointing defeat at Southend.

Initially on the left, he switched flanks once goal-scorer Gareth Evans had limped off with a suspected hamstring problem – and thrived in the change.

Lowe, of course, had played a part in the Blues’ goal, with an initial run and cross from the right, and continued to shine amid a mediocre team display.

His strong running, pace, work-rate and skill were superb as he attempted to inspire his team-mates during yet another 2018 loss.

Pitman concern

Pompey’s leading scorer was visibly becoming more frustrated during the Roots Hall encounter and his mood only worsened with an enforced substitution.

On 69 minutes he had to be replaced by Oli Hawkins following a suspected hamstring problem, with his early-season heroics seeming a long time ago.

The former Bournemouth man has scored just once in the league from open play since November 18, while there was a two-game period in which he was benched.

It is a far cry from 12 goals in Pitman’s opening 17 matches following his arrival from Ipswich in July.

It remains to be seen how long the injury sidelines the Blues skipper for as he seeks to come through this difficult period.