Kenny Jackett encouraged by Portsmouth winning return against Norwich under-23s

Kenny Jackett was impressed with Pompey’s winning start to their pre-season.
James Bolton was part of the Pompey side which beat Norwich under-23s 2-0 in today's friendly. Picture: Max SwattonJames Bolton was part of the Pompey side which beat Norwich under-23s 2-0 in today's friendly. Picture: Max Swatton
James Bolton was part of the Pompey side which beat Norwich under-23s 2-0 in today's friendly. Picture: Max Swatton

Lee Brown and Ronan Curtis each netted with free-kicks during the first-half of today’s friendly against Norwich under-23s.

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It represented the first of three planned pre-season fixtures ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.

And Blues boss Jackett was encouraged with how his side began their friendly programme.

He told The News: ‘It has been a really constructive week.

‘The sessions we have done and the fitness work in the afternoons have been very good, capped off with our first pre-season game.

‘It’s good to see our boys back and getting into the groove of it very quickly in the first half - and then a good mix of youth and experience in the second half.

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‘You are looking on the ball, off the ball, you are looking to try to improve, you are looking for organisation and spirit on top of those.

‘You are looking towards building up a winning mentality, some cohesion and also some match fitness as you get towards the first game of the season.

‘Today’s performance was pretty good and both sides had a lot of players on show.

‘For us some familiar faces, but a sprinkling in the second half of some younger boys who it is good to see get an opportunity.’

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Pompey used 22 players in the victory, albeit fielding a largely Academy side in the second half.

However, Ben Close, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild and Ellis Harrison were all absent from selection through knocks.

Pompey have confirmed the second of their three friendlies will take places will take place at Bristol City on Saturday, August 29.

The fixture against the Championship side will once again be behind closed doors.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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