Kenny Jackett: Portsmouth first-team needed a break - and kids rose to West Ham challenge

With the Blues having already qualified for the knock-out stages of the Papa John’s Trophy, it was very much an experimental side lining up against West Ham under-21s for the final group fixture.

Charlie Bell, Harry Kavanagh and Alfie Stanley were all handed their first-team debuts, joined by a trio of second-year scholars who came off the bench in the second half.

The outcome was 1-0 defeat to the Hammers, marking Pompey’s first loss in the competition since January 9, 2018.

But Jackett had no regrets resting his first-team members – and blooding the youngsters.

He told The News: ‘I felt that we’ve played a lot of games and also had done a lot of travelling, so didn’t want to risk too many senior players.

‘Although we had to put some in because the rules and regulations stipulate that.

‘But as well as resting my first-team players, I did want to give opportunities to some young players, they do need those chances.

‘There have been no under-23s games this year because of coronavirus and we need to mix it in and give them chances and opportunities.

‘That is right and proper as well because not only is this competition good for big clubs with Category 1 academies, like West Ham, but we want to be able to develop players ourselves.

‘And I feel our attitude was very good after going a goal behind.’

In terms of senior players, there were rare outings for James Bolton and Paul Downing.

While Jordy Hiwula was granted his full debut, Alex Bass appeared in goal, and Bryn Morris recalled following substitute outings in Pompey’s previous two matches.

Jackett added: ‘We had a mixed bag of players out and some very good performances by senior players.

‘The likes of Paul Downing, Jordy Hiwula, who had his first 90 minutes, it was vital game time for them.

‘Also there’s James Bolton and Bryn Morris, I was pleased they could play, and mixed in with some young players where there’s different degrees of experience.

‘There’s someone like Haji Mnoga, who made his debut last week at Lincoln and then Ipswich in the FA Cup, then boys like Harry Jewitt-White, Harrison Brook and Soek Jae Lee coming on.

‘There are some very young lads there and we’re really pleased to be able to integrate, give them their debuts and get them into a Pompey shirt.’