How specialist attention to detail at Liverpool and Brentford is inspiring Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett

Now Pompey boss Kenny Jackett believes it’s an avenue worth exploring as he bids to lead the Blues to a glorious future.

The use of specialist coaching is not something the Fratton Park boss is adverse to.

Former England and Nottingham Forest captain Stuart Pearce is often brought in to work with Pompey’s defenders – and has been a regular at the club’s Roko training base during Jackett’s time in charge.

SEE ALSO Mark Catlin and Kenny Jackett deliver key message to Pompey fans

However, with an appetite to innovate, Jackett admitted he’d be open to going a step further down the specialist route if it mean’t giving his side a vital edge over a rival.

Runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool have been working with throw-in expert Thomas Gronnemark since the autumn of 2018 – a relationship which has saw a marked improvement in the Reds’ goal return from throw-in situations.

Meanwhile, Championship Brentford recently appointed another head of set-pieces, Swede Andreas Georgson – behind the scenes thoroughness which is also part of Pep Guardiola’s bid for perfection at Manchester City.

Pompey have already profited from their threat from set-pieces this term, promoting Fleetwood boss Joey Barton to cast aspersions following the Blues’ FA Cup success at Highbury back in January.

But Jackett is open to the idea of focusing further into that part of Pompey’s play.

Speaking at the News Pompey Fans’ Forum on Thursday night, he believes innovative coaching needs to be embraced and further expertise sought if teams are to reach the levels expected of them.

‘In terms of the attackers, Joe (Gallen) was a centre-forward so Joe likes to work with the centre-forwards on a regular basis.

‘But the interesting one I've read is that Brentford have a set-piece coach, which I find interesting.

‘Jurgen Klopp has also employed a throw-in coach, a freelance guy.

‘So, you know, they're interesting points and somebody that can make a difference.

‘The set-piece one is quite a big one, though, I think, with everything that’s there.

‘The specialist that comes on a regular basis (to Pompey) is Stuart Pearce, who does work more with the defenders.

‘He's pretty good at it, but then after that where would I go?

Yeah, a set-piece coach is a good one, especially with the amount of technology you've got now and what’s available.

‘Actually, the specialist throw-in coach - it just shows you the detail Klopp is going into.

‘And reading about this guy, he's freelance across three or four clubs.

‘I'll give him a call!

‘But those things are definitely part of it and will come into it.’

Being open-minded to new coaching techniques, Jackett said he has used sports psychologists during his time in management.

However, he believes the best person to get a player in the right frame of mind for the challenges ahead remains the manager.

Jackett added: 'I always believe that the manager is the head psychologist – and that’s the key because the players know that you pick them and get the most response.‘I’ve worked with a lot of sports psychologists, but I've always thought the key one is the manager.’

Continue to visit portsmouth.co.uk for more stories and videos from our first fans' forum.