Portsmouth firebrand Curtis told to carry on disrupting

Kenny Jackett has vowed not to rein in Pompey firebrand Ronan Curtis.
Ronan Curtis. Picture: Joe PeplerRonan Curtis. Picture: Joe Pepler
Ronan Curtis. Picture: Joe Pepler

The Irishman has made an explosive start to Fratton Park life, establishing himself as one of the star performers during early season.

The ever-confident Curtis' tendency to irritate opponents has also been a constant, again surfacing at Accrington.

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He clashed several times with Callum Johnson during the second half, the Stanley right-back also claiming he received a punch to the face.

Ronan Curtis. Picture: Joe PeplerRonan Curtis. Picture: Joe Pepler
Ronan Curtis. Picture: Joe Pepler

Regardless, Curtis won the free-kick which led to the Blues' goal in the 1-1 draw, while struck the post and then the bar in the game.

And manager Jackett admires the former Derry City forward's passionate approach.

He said: '˜Ronan was unlucky not to score on Saturday. He had a good header against the post in the first half and then a shot on the edge of the box.

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'˜He has tremendous energy, a tremendous attitude, and so far this season has been a key player for us.

'˜He's obviously a threat and a big goal threat. If we are looking at our chances, our clear-cut chances, our key chances, him hitting the woodwork twice shows he is capable of scoring goals.

'˜I am not particularly concerned about his approach to games, I like his attitude, I like his competition, I like the fact he backs himself to score. That's a big thing at a club like this.

'˜Obviously, as one of our dangerous players, he will be targeted at times and has to be cute and clever, but he is also a good-enough player to understand those sort of things may come.

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'˜I always get the feeling with Ronan that he is capable of scoring, I always think there's a goal there.

'˜Even in quiet moments I'm thinking who can come up with something and it's generally him and that has been the case so far.

'˜I talk to all of the players (about behaviour) and I talk to Ronan, but I do like his fire and competitiveness as well.'

With six goals and five assists, Curtis has breezed into Fratton Park.

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And Jackett accepts the forward may need to keep his cool on occasions.

He added: 'He is going to get targeted at times because he's one of our key players and somebody that can score goals.

'˜But he's clever enough to work that out and make sure he keeps his competitiveness, his fire, that desire to do well, his desire to win and desire to score.

'˜But also not doing too much in the wrong way when he gets targeted.'