Kenny Jackett: I still have belief that my Portsmouth players can win promotion

Kenny Jackett retains the belief that his Pompey team are good enough for promotion.
Kenny Jackett addresses some of his Pompey players during their 2-1 defeat at Doncaster. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.comKenny Jackett addresses some of his Pompey players during their 2-1 defeat at Doncaster. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com
Kenny Jackett addresses some of his Pompey players during their 2-1 defeat at Doncaster. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com

Yet he admits his out-of-form side must triumph in a ‘high percentage’ of their remaining 15 matches.

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Suddenly a team gazing towards the top two are nervously looking over their shoulders at a chasing pack closing in.

Incredibly, Pompey were top of League One during the festive period.

Now the fifth-placed side are two points clear in the play-off spots.

Jackett told The News: ‘The points are still there. We have 45 points to play for and we’ll need to win a high percentage of them.

‘We understand we need to find some better form.

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‘We are frustrated. We are frustrated with the loss tonight because we started the day in fourth spot and Doncaster have pulled us back.

‘If you don’t win on a consistent basis, two games out of three, three out of four, then it does catch up on you.

‘I do believe in this group of players and that we can go on the type of run we’re going to need to get us one of those three promotion places at the end of the season.

‘You are aware of the clubs behind you. There are 8-10 very good clubs and I am pleased to say we have been one of them.

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‘With a lot of them, their form has gone up and down - ours has - and that’s the main thing to concentrate on.

‘We have to look forward and do everything we can to try to get it right if possible and make sure that we earn our confidence again.’

Doncaster scored through Reece James and substitute Fejiri Okenabirhie.

Blues substitute John Marquis netted three minutes into time added on, but the visitors didn’t warrant anything from their Keepmoat Stadium trip.

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Jackett added: ‘Certain things can spark you off, certain wins, certain moments in games.

‘In that second half it looked like we needed that moment. The moment didn’t come until the 93rd minute, yet we did create another chance after that.

‘We are looking for those to lift our confidence. Also we have to take responsibility and do everything we can to earn some confidence again.’

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