Portsmouth boss marks completing recruitment with squad challenge

The arrival of Joe Mason on the loan window deadline day completed Jackett's summer recruitment.

The Wolves striker becomes the Blues' 10th player through the door and takes the last place in a 25-man first-team squad.

Jackett likes the look of the depth and power of his options, but knows it's now time for his men to walk the walk.

He said: '˜We want that to be the case (the signings will make the difference).

'˜If you look across our front line, we have no injuries and you can't guarantee that will be the case all the way through the season, but I do feel we have some depth, cover and some competition. Also in our forward line we also have some real pace.

'˜We needed to be thicker on numbers than last season. It's a balancing act to work with the players you have but also improve.

'˜Squad planning through the summer is so vital. If you don't do it well you're fighting fires during the season.

'˜You work on team spirit and squad planning through the summer months, and hopefully they look after you through the winter.

'˜We'll see when the season develops, but we're pleased with the business we've done.

'˜Now it's up to us and myself most importantly to get our heads down, earn it, prove it and work at it.

'˜That's what we have to do. It won't just happen. We'll have to work at it. We have a strong squad, some good team spirit and competition.

'˜It's up to us to now to work, earn and make everyone believe we can have a successful season.'

Jackett admitted he didn't anticipate making as many signings as he has, but adding competition was necessary.

He added: '˜Maybe I didn't (think there'd be so many signings). But as we've gone along we've been able to distribute our budget to maybe have a few more than last year. I felt we needed that, even in terms of competition and the standard of training. It's a big thing.

'˜The higher the level of training, the higher the standards go and the more compeition there is.

'˜We're pleased we've been able to distribute the budget.

'˜Sometimes we've had to wait for one or two, but after that the proof will be in the pudding in terms of performances for the season.

'˜There's been some promise at the start, no more than that, but it's a big challenge. It's up to us now the window's shut to do the job for Portsmouth.'