How Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett saw season playing out before suspension

And the Blues boss was adamant his side were capable of delivering a trail-blazing finale to the campaign to fire themselves into the Championship.

But Jackett acknowledged safety has to be the primary motivator in deciding what happens to the campaign as it remains suspended.

Pompey were just two points off the automatic promotion spots when the season was put on ice days after their draw with Fleetwood, nearly nine weeks ago.

With so many sides in the shake-up Jackett has no doubt about what his side were capable of achieving with nine games still to play.

He said: ‘It was building up to a nice crescendo and we weren’t exactly mid-table, we were fourth and two points off second with a Wembley final to play.

‘There’s nothing we can do about it and if they work that way, they work that way.

‘Yes, we would have loved to play this season out and with an opportunity to get into the Championship we would’ve loved that chance.

‘It’s really right, unusually tight, this year. It has been all the way through.

‘I’m sure there would’ve been more twists and turns to come, too.

‘We’d worked hard to put ourselves in contention, but, similarly we have to realise keeping people’s safe is more of a priority. If there’s a bigger picture to look at, of course we have to adhere to that.’