Gaffer: Forget automatic promotion - Portsmouth already eight points behind leaders

Firstly, you’ve got an interesting stat, haven’t you?

Yes, the corresponding weekend last year was away at AFC Wimbledon, a match we lost 1-0 and the fans were calling for the manager’s head.

You have to question whether anything has changed since. To me, that’s a worrying pattern. We’re exactly where we were a year ago.

So far this season we have played five of the bottom eight in a league which is a lot more difficult than last year.

Many people recall Mark Catlin saying the manager needed to get off to a good start, which is interesting.

Any players stand out for you?

It wasn't a poor game, there was nothing in it for either side. There were also no positives, it was anemic.

Goals are a problem, Marcus Harness’ best touches were in his own half and Ronan Curtis doesn’t look the same, he’s not even doing that thing with his arms and being uppity. He has gone quiet and sullen, which is concerning.

Callum Johnson and Ben Close were the best two performers. Johnson shades it, though, as he gets forward quite well and has a decent cross on him.

I wanted Close back in the side for Bryn Morris and he did well. He possesses a range of passing no other player has and is consistent.

What are your thoughts on the manager?

This is probably Kenny Jackett’s last major job in football.

In terms of his career, he was last successful in winning promotion when at Wolves in 2013-14. That was a poor division then.

Look at the quality of clubs in League One now. The difference is quite stark in contrast.

Jackett’s contract is depreciating in value. Do you want to stick or twist?

Fixtures ahead in the next six weeks are quite bad. We don’t have the luxury of an international break to bed a new manager in and Paul Cook is never coming back.

And while people point to Jackett’s good win rate, it has come in a league we shouldn’t be in against the likes of Accrington, MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon.

How do you think this season will go?

I think we’ll finish in the top eight, it’s nothing but the play-offs for us at the moment.

Yet whereas last season we were unlucky and had some calamitous defending in our poor start, such as against Coventry, currently we are short of ideas. It is far more serious.

We’ve not even played anyone decent yet and find ourselves eight points adrift of Ipswich in top spot.

Needing an eight-point swing after six matches is too much already.

Craig MacGillivray 7

Callum Johnson 7

Jack Whatmough 6

Sean Raggett 6

Lee Brown 5

Tom Naylor 7

Ben Close 7

Marcus Harness 6

Andy Cannon 5

Ronan Curtis 5

Ellis Harrison 6

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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