Kenny Jackett admits 'strange times' as Portsmouth finally conquered

The Blues had gone 16 games without defeat in the EFL Trophy, spanning two years, 10 months and one day.

The previous loss was on January 9, 2018 – at the hands of Chelsea under-21s.

What followed was claiming the Checkatrade Trophy in March 2019 and reaching another final which has still to be played.

Jackett said: ‘It has been a great run – and a lot of circumstances as well.

‘There have been different times and strange situations, with some big highlights.

‘What a day for that Sunderland final, a fantastic day. With 85,000 people there, the atmosphere, the way the game went and the way it finished.

‘Since then it has been strange times, such as getting through to a final which hasn’t been played yet.

‘The absence of the crowd has continued this year, there’s a bigger picture obviously and this competition will have suffered.

‘But, similarly, we can say the Sunderland day was a high.

‘There have also been opportunities along the way for young players as well, which are needed within the club.’

During his time as Pompey boss, Jackett has overseen 22 EFL Trophy matches in total, winning 18 of them and losing just twice.

Of the squad from the previous defeat to Chelsea, just Alex Bass was involved against West Ham.

The keeper was an unused substitute in that January 2018 fixture, although Ben Close did start.

However, Close, like the rest of the first-team at Ipswich on Saturday, was rested against the Hammers.

Jackett added: ‘I did feel I wanted to rest the senior players.

‘I didn’t want to keep playing them and risk injury, but also for our next run of games, which will come at us thick and fast.

‘Not only have we had a lot of matches, we’ve had a lot of travelling as well, and that can bring on and risk unnecessary injuries.’

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