Kenny Jackett's Portsmouth admission if Blues fail to see League One promotion push through

Kenny Jackett admitted it would be an opportunity missed if Pompey were unable to see the job through this season and win promotion.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Blues have got themselves back in the League One title hunt after a sterling start to 2020.

They’ve accumulated 26 points out of a possible 33 on offer since the turn of the year, winning eight of their 11 matches played.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And that’s form which has seen them move up to third in the table – four points behind current leaders Coventry and three adrift of second-placed Rotherham with a game in hand on the Millers.

It’s a far cry from the 17th-placed position Jackett’s side found themselves in back in October following a 1-0 loss at AFC Wimbledon.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Fast forward nearly five months, though, and Pompey are nicely placed with 11 League One games remaining and a Leasing.com Trophy final against Salford City to look forward to.

Pompey boss Kenny JackettPompey boss Kenny Jackett
Pompey boss Kenny Jackett

They’ve also only just exited the FA Cup after a fifth-round defeat at the hands of Arsenal on Monday night.

A trip to promotion-rivals Peterborough awaits on Saturday as the Blues look to reinforce those promotion credentials.

That will be first of many tough tests between now and the end of the season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If Pompey fall short during that period, though, Jackett believes it will be a chance wasted.

The manager told the News’ Pompey Fans’ forum: ‘There’s so much to play for still now.

‘But if it falls away now we’d have missed an opportunity and we would feel that.

‘I’d feel that as a manager, the players would, too.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘There’s a chance there, an opportunity there, they’re big ones, they’re exciting, and it’s a challenge.

‘But it’s a challenge you want to be in football for.

‘You want to be here at this stage in March, you don’t want to be either at the other end of the table or even mid-table, maybe looking to plan for next year.

‘I understand those seasons happen but you want these seasons when you are coming into March with competitions (to play for).

‘You’ve got your priorities, definitely, and nobody hides that.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘But even so, it’s an exciting time and it’s a good challenge, and yeah, we’re desperate to be successful.

‘If we’re not, obviously, like everyone else, we’ll be disappointed if we are because of the chance and the opportunity that is there right now.’

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.