Kenny Jackett: Impressive Portsmouth should have scored more in comfortable Southend victory

The Blues strolled into the knock-out stages of the EFL Trophy following a 3-0 win at Southend.

Ronan Curtis (two) and John Marquis netted for a Pompey side comprising of 10 changes from the one which triumphed at Burton 4-2 on Saturday.

Despite the large-scale overhaul to the starting XI, Jackett’s men could have wracked up plenty more goals, such was their dominance.

As it is, that’s now 1,002 days since their last defeat in the competition.

But Pompey’s boss felt they could have pressed home their advantage over the League Two strugglers even more.

Jackett told The News: ‘I felt it was a lively performance from Southend, it wasn’t an easy game necessarily. A hard game.

‘But we got on top, particularly in the second half, when we could have scored more goals. Probably with some better finishing it could have been more convincing.

‘With players needing game time, they didn’t look rusty. They came in and showed a terrific attitude and it was good exercise for us.

‘We have used this competition sometimes in the early rounds to bring in younger players.

‘It was necessary tonight to play some of the lads on the fringe, one of two of them played on Saturday as well.

‘We worked hard with the squad, worked hard to put them together, and they showed a good attitude - and in the second half could have had more goals.’

Ryan Williams was the only player who retained his place from the Pirelli Stadium win.

Instead Jackett opted to give fringe players match minutes, while Haji Mnoga was handed the entire match at right wing-back.

It demonstrated the strength of the Pompey squad at present that effectively back-up players, plus Curtis and arguably Marquis, could perform at such a high level at Roots Hall.

Jackett added: ‘With no injuries at the moment we can leave Jack Whatmough out, while Tom Naylor got a knock on his ankle on Saturday.

‘He will be fine for Saturday, but we were able to leave him at home.’