Kenny Jackett: Focus on Portsmouth promotion future - not misery of the past

During the festive season, the Blues registered their second festive number one in three League One campaigns.

It’s an encouraging position, despite memories still raw from the promotion capitulation which followed their 2018 placing.

With Pompey out of action on Boxing Day, among half of the division, Lincoln subsequently leapt above them into top spot.

Similarly, the Blues will sit out today’s fixture list, with their trip to Bristol Rovers cancelled because of coronavirus.

Still, Jackett’s men are well placed – and Pompey’s boss refuses to look back.

He told The News: ‘I don’t really look back in past seasons, we are where we are now – and mainly I look forward.

‘We are one of a number of teams which can try to chase those promotion places. It is really about what we do now and, going forward, not about what has happened.

‘You can’t get promoted by Christmas, but, if you haven’t got enough points, you can sometimes be out of it down the bottom.

‘I’m pleased to say we are not, we’re in the mix, and we have to look forward and capitalise on the position we are in now.

‘I don’t think the players will focus on it (Christmas 2018) too much, they will want to win every game, do well for the club, do well for the supporters, do well for each other.

‘I'm sure they will have a lot of confidence in terms of what they have achieved.

‘But, similarly, they know there's a lot of hard work ahead to try to be successful this season.

‘That form should give our players a lot of confidence and, in all of them, see an opportunity - and I do think that is the case.

‘Let’s enjoy it and be excited about the games ahead because there are some great matches coming up, some big matches, and a big second half of the season to look forward to.’

It has been 476 minutes of competitive action since Blackpool’s Keshi Anderson was the last player to net against the Blues.

Jackett’s second-placed side have subsequently registered five successive clean sheets in all competitions.

Meanwhile, they are joint-top scorers in League One with Doncaster, with both on 32 goals.

Pompey’s boss added: ‘We have done very well defensively and long may it continue.

‘Obviously we want both, we want clean sheets but to be able to score goals as well. One isn’t more important than the other, I treat them both equally.

‘Yes, it is a good defensive record as a side, but similarly we have goals in us as well. So we must keep working at those two areas to get where we can.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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