Comparisons to Portsmouth legend Paul Merson made as Michael Jacobs proves he has the 'wow' factor

Michael Jacobs’ Pompey performance at Charlton on Tuesday night had the ‘wow’ factor.
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And it’s led to comparisons with a player deemed the catalyst for one of the Blues’ most memorable seasons – Paul Merson.

Cultured midfielder Merse arrived at Fratton Park on a free transfer from Aston Villa in August 2002.

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His signing represented a massive coup for then boss Harry Redknapp.

And those fans excited by his spectacular arrival were proved correct, with the former England international quickly establishing himself as a talismanic figure as Pompey claimed promotion to the Premier League and the Division One title.

Jacobs still has a lot to do during his PO4 stay to have the Fratton faithful waxing lyrical about him in future years, as they still do now with Merson.

Indeed, he’s endured a stop-start beginning to his Pompey career, with injury hampering his progress.

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Michael Jacobs, right, was Pompey's star man against Charlton on Tuesday night.Michael Jacobs, right, was Pompey's star man against Charlton on Tuesday night.
Michael Jacobs, right, was Pompey's star man against Charlton on Tuesday night.

However, a recall to the starting line-up at the Valley handed him the perfect opportunity to make up for lost time.

The spotlight was on, with regular starter Ronan Curtis left sitting on the bench.

But the 29-year-old didn’t let anyone down – instead, rising to the occasion to produce a man-of-the-match performance which was accompanied a goal of the highest quality.

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It left The News’ Chief Sports Writer, Neil Allen, mesmerized, particularly with his first-half display.

Paul Merson led Pompey to the 2002-03 Division One title. Picture: Steve ReidPaul Merson led Pompey to the 2002-03 Division One title. Picture: Steve Reid
Paul Merson led Pompey to the 2002-03 Division One title. Picture: Steve Reid

And speaking in the latest edition of Pompey Talk: The Podcast, Allen couldn’t resists making the comparison to former Blues captain Merson.

He said: ‘That first half from Jacobs - that's the best performance I've seen from a player for a long, long, long time. He was so good.

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‘You can go back to (Marcus) Harness at Burton, who got a hat-trick, but it wasn't as good an all-round performance as Jacobs in that first half.

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‘Now, he wasn't as good in the second half, Jacobs, but that first half was magnificent.

‘Hitting the ball with the outside of his right foot, the passing, the crossing, the vision, the goal.

‘His whole performance – absolutely brilliant that first half.

‘Yeah, he didn't quite match it after the break but it was something else and - “wow", that's all I can say.

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‘He did this pass with the outside of his boot and I think he put (Ryan) Williams clear through down the middle, and Williams perhaps got dispossessed after a while.

‘And that reminded me of Merson – just one, pass, with the outside of the boot.

‘It was pinpoint through two players, and it was like “we've not seen anything like this for years”.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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