Kenny Jackett lifts lid on surprise decision to go full strength in Portsmouth Wembley bid against Exeter

The Blues boss sprang a Leasing.com Trophy surprise by making just two changes for yesterday evening’s semi-final with Exeter.

With a congested fixture list and the potential for suffering injury and fatigue to key first-team regulars, it was a bold decision not to rotate his squad.

In contrast, the Grecians made 10 alterations.

Regardless, Pompey struggled to see off the League Two high-fliers – and were indebted to two stoppage-time goals for reaching the final in consecutive seasons.

While here was injury to Ellis Harrison, who suffered a dead leg and had to be replaced on 24 minutes.

But Jackett believes it was the correct decision.

He said: ‘You never know as a manager which way it is going to go.

‘I was a little surprised, I thought Exeter were going to go full strength, but it didn’t affect their performance, they played very, very well.

‘Sometimes you put a changed side out and some younger players, but for Pompey at home, with that type of crowd turning up, there is pressure on us.

‘We’d got this far in the competition, we had to give it everything, we’ve got to try to do that – that resulted in as strong a side as we could.

‘For us, it was one step from Wembley, we decided to give it everything we’ve got.

‘Exeter certainly pushed us all the way and I am delighted to overcome them and get the Wembley appearance.

‘Is it a gamble? It’s a decision which had to be made. It’s a semi-final, we are at home, we’ve got a big crowd. I always knew that was going to be the case and that resulted in me trying to pick a full-strength side.’

Meanwhile, Jackett shrugged off concerns of tiredness for his players, whose next fixture is at Fleetwood on Saturday.

He added: ‘I am never sure with players – are they tired or can they go again?

‘Generally when they are winning they can go again. You get more tired when you lose.’