Kenny Jackett's selection gamble dominates as we're left feeling flat on Portsmouth's return against Oxford United

From the minute Joe Gallen met the officials and Oxford United boss Karl Robinson on the Fratton Park pitch 75 minutes before kick-off to hand in the team-sheet, we had our story on Pompey’s return after 115 days.
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With the stakes his side’s Championship bid, Kenny Jackett decided to twist with his player selection which inevitably caused huge reverberations.

Dropping his captain Tom Naylor and handing Bryn Morris his first start in 14 months was massive news.

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And on a par with that was taking arguably the standout player of 2020 in Steve Seddon out of the starting XI in place of Lee Brown, who took Naylor’s armband.

Elsewhere, there was much to debate as top scorer John Marquis warmed the bench and Ellis Harrison led the line, James Bolton lost out to Ross McCrorie and homegrown Ben Close couldn’t make the 20-man squad.

Brave or stupid? Inspired or reckless? The online furore suggested plenty had made their mind up an hour before kick-off, but the full-time whistle was the time for judgement on that front.

Jackett has been the man gauging the impact of a near four-month lay-off on his players and what unfolded in the first period more than justified his decisions.

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Pompey had a balance to them and forward-thinking intent which encouraged from the outset.

Pompey players speak to the ref on the final whistle Pic Andrew Matthews/PA Wire.Pompey players speak to the ref on the final whistle Pic Andrew Matthews/PA Wire.
Pompey players speak to the ref on the final whistle Pic Andrew Matthews/PA Wire.

They were lively down both flanks and Andy Cannon was dictating proceedings in the 10 role.

Strong penalty appeals and Ronan Curtis’ effort off the woodwork ensued before a flowing move more associated with the opponent’s expansive brand of football resulted in the Irishman’s 32nd-minute opener.

Oxford couldn’t contain Jackett’s men for that opening period, but with the Blues warranting a greater advantage, their goal switched them off.

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The visitors began to advance but scarcely deserved their 43rd-minute gift of a leveller, as Marcus Brown was allowed the freedom of the left flank to power forward before a momentary slip from Christian Burgess.

Pompey’s grip had slipped, however, and they failed to decisively wrest control of the game back for the rest of the evening.

The Blues will look to very reasonable penalty shouts in both halves, but the best of it after the restart was a Burgess header which worked Simon Eastwood with eight minutes left.

So the wait for a play-off win goes on at the seventh time of asking on the strangest of evenings at Fratton Park. It’s all to play for, of course, but like the Fratton atmosphere we’re left feeling a little flat.

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