Kenny Jackett: Time to end Portsmouth play-off hoodoo - and make history against Oxford

The Blues have never won a play-off fixture, a miserable statistic spanning three previous campaigns.

Of those six semi-final encounters, there have been three draws and three defeats – but never victory.

Pompey’s latest play-off bid commences on Friday, when Oxford United visit Fratton Park for the first leg (5.30pm).

Still, dreadful experiences of the format will have absolutely no influence on the latest opportunity for promotion.

And an upbeat Jackett is seeking to finally banish what has developed into a hoodoo.

Pompey’s boss told The News: ‘I’ve been told many times about Pompey’s play-off record – but if you keep persevering you will get there.

‘Obviously we were disappointed we didn’t win the play-offs last year. We have qualified again and now want to go one better if we can and try to win.

‘In terms of the club’s run in this format, it has got to break some time and, if we play well, it should be this year.

‘These are different circumstances compared to other years, unforeseen I suppose. It will be different, with the players having time off, and obviously the big one is no crowd being present.

‘We’ve had the benefit of watching the Premier League, Championship, League Two, and German football. We have all observed, as will the other clubs.

‘Maybe we did slightly run out of steam towards the end of last season, I did feel that was the case.

‘But it’s a different set of circumstances this season, maybe more rustiness than tiredness I suppose.

‘So it’s time to look forward and win a play-off match.’

Pompey were first involved in the play-offs in May 1993, when Jim Smith’s side faced Leicester.

Julian Joachim inflicted a 1-0 defeat in the first leg, held at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, before the teams shared a 2-2 draw at Fratton Park.

In May 2016, Paul Cook oversaw the Blues against Plymouth, a semi-final pairing which once again saw victory elude.

The Fratton Park leg finished 2-2, before the tie was settled at Home Park through a stoppage-time header from Peter Hartley.

Last term, with Jackett at the helm, Pompey lost 1-0 at Sunderland through former loanee Chris Maguire’s strike.

The sides then met on the south coast – with a goalless draw condemning the hosts to semi-final elimination once more.

Jackett added: ‘We had chances and opportunities against Sunderland.

‘They got a lot of draws last year and only needed a draw when coming down to us – and got it.

‘They were two tight games and, disappointingly we couldn’t get through.’

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