Portsmouth boss taking added Cup pressure in his stride

Kenny Jackett acknowledged there'll be heightened pressure on his side when they face Maidenhead in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Kenny Jackett has pledged to field a strong team against Maidenhead in this weekend's FA Cup. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.comKenny Jackett has pledged to field a strong team against Maidenhead in this weekend's FA Cup. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com
Kenny Jackett has pledged to field a strong team against Maidenhead in this weekend's FA Cup. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com

But the Pompey boss is taking it all in his stride as he plots a successful run in this year's competition.

The Blues head to York Road on Saturday as the top-ranked team in the first round.

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They currently sit top of the League One table '“ 67 places above the Magpies, who are 21st in the National League and on a six-match league losing streak.

Kenny Jackett has pledged to field a strong team against Maidenhead in this weekend's FA Cup. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.comKenny Jackett has pledged to field a strong team against Maidenhead in this weekend's FA Cup. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com
Kenny Jackett has pledged to field a strong team against Maidenhead in this weekend's FA Cup. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com

With the history of the FA Cup littered with examples of giant-killing acts, Jackett is all too aware of the potential pitfalls of such a game.

The fact that BT Sport has chosen to broadcast the game live isn't lost on the man who took Millwall to the semi-finals in 2013.

But Jackett said the added pressure wouldn't affect his side as he earmarks getting to the latter rounds of the Cup.

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He said: 'There's pressure all of the time, that's what it is and the TV cameras are turning up for one reason, perhaps picking up upsets.

'But we're a big club and we have to be aware that that's part of being a big club.

'We want to be successful in this competition, we want to do well, we want to get into the latter stages if we can.

'There's many benefits in doing well in this competition '“  it's good experience for the players, excitement certainly for the supporters, and then obviously if you can get through and get some of the big boys there's real good financial implications which can help the club and help this particular season

'There's many reasons to do well, if you want to do that.

'You have to come through these very difficult and tricky ties.'