Kenny Jackett addresses fan unrest over his Portsmouth future

The Blues boss has come under severe pressure from supporters after failing to lead his side to promotion to the Championship at the third time of asking.

Pompey suffered play-off semi-final defeat at Oxford United last month, meaning they're preparing for a fourth successive campaign in League One.

That's led to Jackett coming under heavy fire, with many supporters calling for his head.

However, the 58-year-old retains the backing of the powers that be at Fratton Park and remains at the helm heading into the 2020-21 season.

Jackett is fully aware that there are significant numbers of the Fratton faithful who want to see him axed as manager.

But he’s not letting that distract him from the job at hand.

The boss is up for the battle as he plots the Blues’ latest bid to return to the Championship.

And he firmly believes his squad can improve and meet expectations.

Jackett told The News: ‘Portsmouth is a great club. As a manager, you have to fight to want to be successful and have to fight to establish yourself. That is the case.

‘Obviously, I always respect everyone's opinion and I also understand it is a privileged position that I'm in because it's a terrific club and you have to fight hard to stay here.

‘Portsmouth is a great club. You have to fight hard to stay here. I understand that, but you always have to fight to be successful.

‘It would have been great to have got over the line and been successful in the play-offs.

‘But we have been very, very close and I think we are capable of maintaining and improving what we do.’

Pompey returned to training on Monday ahead of the season starting on September 5 – which will be in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

It means the campaign will be condensed, with up to 11 midweek league games introduced as a traditional May conclusion is aimed for.

And that's where Jackett's focus solely lies amid the background noise, with the forthcoming challenges on the pitch his top priory.

He added: ‘For me, personally, I'm focusing on the pre-season period at the moment and then the season ahead.

‘It's about making sure the players are as strong as possible in what will be a very difficult season because it's going to be condensed.

‘We've had a high number of games in the past two seasons and it's going to be pretty similar this year, especially with the Euros next summer.

‘There is a lot to get in, in a shorter period of time so my focus is on that.

‘But I do understand that the position I'm in is a privileged one.’