More of the same please as Kenny Jackett and his Portsmouth team stand up to their critics

Praise for Kenny Jackett in the current climate is hard to come by.
Pompey manager Kenny Jackett yesterday's action from the sidelines.  Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.comPompey manager Kenny Jackett yesterday's action from the sidelines.  Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com
Pompey manager Kenny Jackett yesterday's action from the sidelines. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com

Prior to yesterday’s much-needed 4-2 win at Burton, it was as common as a Pompey fan being spotted inside Fratton Park at the minute.

And we all know there’s so sign of that happening any time soon again.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Victory at the Pirelli Stadium – the Blues’ first League One win of the season – mean’t rare glorification headed his way.

However, from the non-Jackett friendly environment that is the Twittersphere, there were still enough non-believers willing to assert their well-known beliefs.

Of course, one result doesn’t automatically mean all is suddenly well at Planet Pompey.

But credit where credit is due must surely come into the thinking of those vocal detractors – even if it means only a temporary stand down.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Blues boss went into the Brewers game under the severest of pressure.

Despite noises from Fratton Park that it was too soon into the season to contemplate a change in manager, we all know that results matter.

And another defeat or draw for that matter against Jake Buxton’s side would have certainly ramped up the demands for change even more.

It can’t be an easy environment to live in, let alone work in.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

So credit to Jackett and the team for that matter for stepping up when the heat was most certainly on.

Knowing a backlash is always too close for comfort, the manager made a couple of massive decisions when naming his team for the trip to the Pirelli Stadium.

Out went the under-performing Ronan Curtis and John Marquis – two players who come across as individuals who are highly confident in their own ability and strong characters in the dressing room..

The call was made to draft Lee Brown back into the side at left-back – a player, who like the manager, has his critics.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, the often-maligned Bryn Morris kept his place in the starting line-up, despite evidence of a lack of influence from the midfielder in recent outings.

There’s also the background of the Blues wishing to bolster their options in the middle of the park before the transfer window closes on October 16.

Each decision was controversial in its own right, and those in opposition must have been clambering for their keyboards when Pompey went into the break 2-1 down.

However, even then any planned criticism would have come across as harsh.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pompey, for the first time this season, looked lively going forward.

The new-look attacking quartet of Ellis Harrison, Michael Jacobs, Marcus Harness and Ryan Williams were causing the hosts all sorts of problems and unfortunate to have only Harness’ second-minute opener to show for their efforts.

And while both Burton goals were sloppy from a Blues point of view, the fact that the hosts recorded just one attempt on goal in the first 45 minutes was testament that this was a Pompey side far removed from that witnessed in previous league outings this season.

Indeed, the side could have easily crumbled after finding themselves 2-1 down, giving the haters yet more ammunition.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Instead, they rose to the challenge and grew in confidence and character as the second half progressed, with Harness and Jacobs proving that having Curtis and Marquis watching on from the bench is not necessarily a backward step.

Far from it, actually, as the Blues produced arguably their best performance since beating Sunderland at the start of February.

Seeing three unanswered second-half goals wrap up a first league win of the season will have given Jackett plenty of comfort.

Knowing that his bold selection held up under the most intense scrutiny off the pitch will have proven deeply satisfactory.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Realising that his players can let loose, entertain and produce three points at the same will hopefully provide food for thought.

Experiencing at first hand once more that his team has a will to win and the character to pull through will come as a relief.

For those reasons alone, we should all embrace a good day at the office for both the manager and players, regardless of the opposition – they’ve been hard to come by in recent weeks and months.

One good day doesn’t paper over the cracks, many will happily point out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But for now, let’s just bask in a welcome win and an encouraging performance that offers a semblance of hope.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The News has launched a new subscription offer which gives you unlimited access to all of our Pompey coverage.

You can subscribe here to get the latest updates from Fratton Park, transfer news and expert analysis from our team of Pompey writers.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism on your behalf for our city.

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.