EFL on Quest pundit believes Portsmouth have finally released the handbrake and are benefiting

Kenny Jackett has taken the handbrake off his Pompey side.
Marcus Harness is congratulated for his opener at Sunderland by Michael Jacobs.  Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.comMarcus Harness is congratulated for his opener at Sunderland by Michael Jacobs.  Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com
Marcus Harness is congratulated for his opener at Sunderland by Michael Jacobs. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com

It’s a verdict many Blues fans will be delighted to hear.

And in even better news for the Fratton faithful, EFL on Quest pundit Sam Parkin believes a new Pompey blueprint has been set for the rest of the season.

The Blues’ switch to a 4-4-2 formation in recent matches has paid immediate dividends.

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Last Tuesday night’s 2-0 win at Gillingham was quickly followed by a 3-1 success at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light – Pompey’s first win on Wearside since 2008.

First introduced at Burton, It’s a move which has given Kenny Jackett’s side a whole new look going forward, with Marcus Harness and John Marquis both benefiting.

Indeed, both forwards were on the score sheet on Saturday as the Blues ended the Black Cats’ unbeaten start to the season and were the first team this term to score against Sunderland in open play.

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With the Blues now sitting in the play-off places for the first time this campaign, others are beginning to take notice.

And one of those is former Swindon forward Parkin, who believes the shackles may finally be coming off Kenny Jackett’s side.

When asked by EFL on Quest host Colin Murray whether the handbreak was now off, Parkin said: ‘I think so, yeah, putting Harness up with Marquis.

‘Harness has played round the striker twice this season, they scored four at Burton and obviously three goals today (Saturday).

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‘Even more impressive considering that’s the first goals Sunderland have conceded from open play.

‘So, yeah, that’s probably the blueprint going forward.

‘You can right off their third goal a little bit because Sunderland had Wyke, Graham and Grigg on by that stage so did them on the counter.

‘But a great result for Kenny Jackett’s men.’

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