Portsmouth boss gives verdict on what soaring confidence can do as side's season hits new high with Barnsley win

Championship Barnsley were dismissed with an emphatic 4-2 victory as the Blues progressed into the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since reaching the final in 2010.

The attacking manner of the victory saw many rate the win as the best performance of the season from Kenny Jackett’s side.

The result continues the unbeaten start to 2020 and makes it just two defeats from the past 21 games as Pompey battle on three fronts this term.

And Jackett believes that has now seen belief reach new highs this term.

He said: ‘We’re quite confident and, if we can be confident we can build up a head of steam and have an exciting finale to the season.

‘We hope that’s so (confidence is at a high). There’s a belief in what we’re doing.

‘There’s a understanding developing between players in certain positions, too, which is good.

‘There’s confidence among the players and we’re looking for a settled side and have to be humble enough to look for the next game.’

Kenny Jackett made three changes from the league win at Bolton and six switches from Tuesday’s EFL Trophy success over Scunthorpe.

He was rewarded with a foul-goal haul for the second time this season after the 4-1 success over Southend in November.

Jackett felt the changes helped his side maintain energy levels which they need to carry forward to games against Lincoln and Sunderland in a big week of league action.

He added: ‘It was a good performance and they were different types of goals and we could’ve had more.

‘We shuffled things around slightly. We’re in a period of five games in 15 days.

‘Looking at the players and believing they have full energy is a big one.

‘Now we have Lincoln and Sunderland. Big games and a challenge that have we have to take on with confidence.’