Gaffer: I used to want Kenny Jackett sacked, but not anymore - Portsmouth can win promotion

Gaffer for a Day, Harry Haskett, aged 24, from Paulsgrove, looks ahead to Pompey’s trip to Tranmere...
Gaffer for a Day, Harry Haskett, has changed his mind over wanting Kenny Jackett to be sacked. Picture: Joe PeplerGaffer for a Day, Harry Haskett, has changed his mind over wanting Kenny Jackett to be sacked. Picture: Joe Pepler
Gaffer for a Day, Harry Haskett, has changed his mind over wanting Kenny Jackett to be sacked. Picture: Joe Pepler

I was shouting ‘Jackett Out’ earlier in the season, but I think we’ll go all the way now and win promotion.

I wanted him sacked after the Coventry game, I was chanting it every week until the 1-1 draw with Oxford United in November, it was inevitable he wouldn’t, though.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I’m quite bad for saying things in the heat of the moment after a game, although at Wycombe it felt like the whole end were singing it.

Instead I decided to get behind the players and the team and Pompey have turned it around really well. I don’t want him sacked now!

Just when you think you have Jackett sussed, he comes up with something which improves results. He changes it when he needs to.

There’s no reason why we can’t win promotion, just look at the teams we’ve beaten in the last few months. I’m never confident about games, but I’m confident about winning at Tranmere.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I’d make one change to the side which beat Sunderland, with Ellis Harrison coming in for John Marquis up front.

Harrison links it up better, can hold the ball up and is stronger in the air, which will be ideal considering the state of Tranmere’s pitch.

Jackett no longer plays as much hoof ball, he has been more progressive up the pitch since October and November rather than constant long balls.

With the Prenton Park pitch, however, we’ll need to be a bit more direct rather than trying to play football. You can’t expect a pristine performance on a terrible pitch, just get the result.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Manchester United, Sunderland and Doncaster have won there in recent weeks, so we know they can be beaten at home.

I’m liking how we are playing at the moment, we are pressing teams more instead of sitting back, always looking to go on the front foot.

Sunderland was probably our best league performance of the season, we’ve changed our approach and it’s looking really good.

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Bass, Bolton, Burgess, Raggett, Seddon, McGeehan, Naylor, Williams, Cannon, Curtis, Harrison.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.