Portsmouth 2 MK Dons 1: Neil Allen's verdict - Attritional and unconvincing but gutsy Blues have that winning momentum

The crucial statistic was successive League One triumphs, yet Pompey’s means was unconvincing and far from representative of promotion contenders.

Not that the Blues boss had the temerity to pass off Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over MK Dons as inspired by anything more than defensive excellence from a team which refused to buckle under long periods of pressure.

The visitors arrived at Fratton Park bottom of the table. They departed with the admiration of those who witnessed the encounter, questioning why Russell Martin’s men occupied bottom spot.

A moral victory, if you like. Not that it pays the bills, of course.

Match figures can be tossed around. MK Dons recorded a staggering 71 per cent of possession as they penned in a Blues side whose attacking threat was unrecognisable from the one which rampaged at Burton.

Such was the Dons’ dominance, a concerned Jackett opted to rip up his system at half-time in an attempt to establish a foothold, instead employing three central defenders.

Quite a compliment considering Pompey were leading 2-1 at that stage and on home territory.

Yet, much to the visitors’ disbelief, it was the Blues who ground out a maiden league win at Fratton Park this season to climb to ninth in the table.

For all the inevitable criticism surrounding an uninspiring win achieved with 29 per cent of possession, perhaps the true strength of Pompey’s performance was largely overlooked.

Defensively they were outstanding. As a goalkeeper, a back four or five and a team unit, it was a gutsy showing, full of heart, impressive in organisation, and led by Jack Whatmough.

They did superbly defending the penalty area and protecting a goalkeeper who could only be beaten by a first-half spot kick gifted by Bryn Morris’ misjudged challenge.

While victory would have been anticipated by many of the exiled Fratton faithful before kick-off considering the opponents’ league standing, the manner of its delivery was certainly unexpected.

Following swaggering attacking displays at Burton and Southend in the previous eight days, more of the same was earmarked for MK Dons. What unfolded was a textbook Kenny Jackett win.

He has managed 93 triumphs as Blues boss in little more than three seasons, a remarkable tally. In truth, most have been achieved through pragmatic, disciplined and structured team performances.

Saturday was another prime example as his side dug deep to frustrate Martin’s team and churn out another three points during this spell of early-season catch-up.

If Pompey’s lack of possession against MK Dons is used to bury them, though, then it’s worth reflecting on the opening three league matches this season.

Facing Shrewsbury, Rochdale and Wigan, the Blues amassed between 53 and 59 per cent in each fixture. They didn’t win any of them – and neither were they praised for such figures.

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Yet three points were collected against MK Dons, with 29 per cent and also their lowest shot and corner tally this term.

No wonder the visitors’ dominance was seemingly of such little concern to Jackett during his post-match media duties, as he focused on saluting his defence rather than bemoaning a home fixture spent chasing.

An example of why high possession statistics are no cast-iron guarantee of victory. As MK Dons have discovered in their opening five matches, when, by all accounts, performances have followed a similar pattern.

At present they are bottom of League One with two points from a possible 15.

Not that Pompey’s overall display shouldn’t escape criticism, far from it. As a spectacle, it was painful to endure for long periods, frustratingly laboured and devoid of spark.

Marcus Harness and Ellis Harrison, so brilliant at Burton, were subdued and comfortably smothered by the visitors. While the recalled Ronan Curtis was taken off at half-time and Michael Jacobs is still feeling around for match fitness.

Both of the Blues’ goals emanated from corner situations. In terms of open play, they offered disappointingly little.

Even Jackett’s decision to operate with three at the back through the introduction of Rasmus Nicolaisen at the interval, failed to alter the game’s pattern.

If anything, the Blues sank even deeper into a comfort zone, with purported wing-backs Callum Johnson and Brown dropping to equate to a back five and invite on greater pressure.

Pompey raised barely a meaningful attack in the second half, save Harrison shooting against the keeper’s legs from a tight angle when really he should have squared a pass.

Nonetheless, the Blues survived their examination. Jackett’s half-time change can be congratulated – it helped secure victory.

Pompey’s boss had made one change to the team which claimed that 4-2 success at Burton, with Curtis recalled in place of Ryan Williams and asked to take up position on the right wing.

The Irishman had netted twice at Southend in the week and remains a potent goal threat, sufficient reason for his first-team league return, albeit in an unfamiliar role.

Jackett’s men also lined up in a 4-4-2, the system which eked a hat-trick out of Harness at the Pirelli Stadium. While the formation was not obvious in that match, it was on Saturday.

As at Burton, an early lead was established – and also relinquished for that matter.

With 65 seconds on the clock, Brown’s right-wing corner was met with an excellent Tom Naylor header which smacked against the underside of the bar as it entered MK Dons’ net.

However, the match was all-square on 12 minutes after Morris clumsily clattered Louis Thompson from behind inside the penalty area.

The midfielder was adamant the offence arrived outside the box, yet referee Lee Swabey was correct in pointing to the spot, with Scott Fraser converting.

A second penalty of the game would prove decisive on 23 minutes, awarded in Pompey’s favour.

From a Jacobs corner delivered from the left, George Williams was spotted manhandling Sean Raggett, actions which knocked the defender to the floor.

Harrison stepped up to net with a right-footed finish for his second goal of the campaign.

There were 67 minutes still to play, yet the lead proved unassailable thanks to Pompey’s collective defending during an often attritional display.

Not that Jackett should be too concerned over the manner of the result – the Blues’ third win in eight days has given them the momentum so glaringly absent at the start of the season.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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