Opinion: Portsmouth have under-fire Kenny Jackett's back - so maybe we all should

Just like a 50-50 challenge with former Pompey hardman Mick Kennedy, there’s no guarantee I’ll survive.

I’ll probably come out the other end worse for wear.

But hopefully the Fratton faithful, as they always do, will respect me for giving it my best shot – even if they don’t agree.

Yes, the subject of Kenny Jackett is a difficult one to navigate at this particular time.

You need to tread carefully, very carefully.

And if you dare venture on to social media, be prepared to be chewed up and spat back out again.

That’s how difficult the terrain is at the minute.

It’s not a pleasant environment to be caught up in. There’s plenty of warning signs in place.

The alarm bells are ringing. You enter at your own risk.

But sometimes needs must.

Now at this point, I need to make it abundantly clear that I’m not here to defend Jackett, his promotion record as Pompey manager, his style of play, his man management, his demeanour on the touchline for that matter.

Fans have their own opinions on all of the above, as they are perfectly entitled to, and it’s not my intention to challenge those views or try to alter them.

After all, football is a game based on opinions. One fan’s stance might differ entirely from the supporter who sits right beside another in the Fratton End. And that’s totally acceptable.

However, I do feel the negativity surrounding the manager’s current position is benefiting no-one, least of all Pompey.

The disappointment felt by us all after yet another failed promotion bid is understandable.

The nature of the defeat to Oxford has been hard to take. And don’t get me started on team selections.

But there comes a point when perhaps a line needs to be drawn in the sand on the subject for everyone’s sake.

Chief executive Mark Catlin has admitted he’s conscious of the growing mood amongst large chunks of supporters in regards to the manager.

Meanwhile, there’s no denying the Eisners are fully aware, too, given the constant theme of the messages which greets a tweet from them, irrespective of the subject matter.

But Catlin’s has also told The News – as recently as this week – that the manager’s position is not up for debate, so surely we must respect that stance for the time being at least.

Of course, fans’ opinions are welcome, positive or negative - and we’re all guilty of pointing the finger of blame and highlighting shortcomings.

But the incessant nature of the #Jackettout demands is proving futile in the current climate and rather off-putting.

Pre-season is meant to be a time of renewing hope, galvanising spirits ahead of another long campaign, putting the previous season and all its imperfections to bed and focusing on the future.

Instead, we’re constantly being reminded on social media that this team under this manager is not good enough and we cannot move on until appropriate action is taken.

They might be right. Pompey could be stagnating under the current manager, going backwards even, while a fresh approach after three years of trying to return to the Championship could be beneficial.

But until the powers that be in Fratton Park come to that conclusion – and to be honest, I hope they don’t as it probably means a poor, detrimental start to another important season – then their position, in my opinion, has to be accepted.

Surely that should be the standpoint of all fans.

We all want the club to do well, to obliterate the opposition, to be crowned champions, to attract the best players, to make us the envy of our rivals.

The #Jackettout division of the Fratton faithful will no doubt say that’s exactly what they want - and something which could well be achieved under a different manager.

Yet, in the immediate future, that requires the Blues to trip up along the way and to fall flat on their faces - making us a laughing stock amongst our current League One peers.

Many of us would have taken much satisfaction in seeing old foes Sunderland depart with manager Jack Ross less than a year ago - more or less writing off the past season for the Black Cats and ensuring another year in the third tier.

I for one don’t want a similar episode at Fratton Park in the months ahead and will be encouraged to see Jackett in his current position for years to come.

After all, that should signify a manager who has managed to turn it around, a successful Pompey team and a side that matches all our ambitions.

Now, that would be worth taking to social media to comment on.

That reminds me, it’s time to dust down the hard hat!