Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett faces 'massive transfer window' in bid to win back fans' belief

And according to The News’ chief sports writer, Neil Allen, there’s no margin for error as the Blues manager looks to take the heat off his position.

Jackett has come under fire from sections of supporters following another promotion bid that fell agonisingly short.

Pompey’s play-off semi-final defeat against Oxford earlier this month, albeit on penalties, guaranteed a fourth season at League One level – something that doesn’t sit easy with large swathes of fans.

Blues chief executive Mark Catlin told The News this week that he is fully aware of the Fratton faithful’s strength of feeling towards the manager.

He insisted Jackett’s future was not up for debate.

But in an earlier interview the CEO admitted Pompey could not afford another promotion hangover like the one that hampered progress last term.

That makes Jackett’s recruitment drive during the current transfer window – which Allen describes as ‘massive’ – so important.

He needs to bring in the quality needed to take the Blues to the next level.

And speaking in the latest edition of Pompey Talk: the podcast, Allen said, if he doesn’t and results don’t go Pompey’s way, then it could eventually spell the end of Jackett’s time at Fratton Park.

Discussing this summer’s transfer window and the Blues’ potential business, Allen said: ‘I'd like to see more permanent players at Pompey than loanees, ideally.

‘But we've got to wait and see because he (Jackett) needs to bring in quality.

‘Whether it's loanees, whether it's permanents, he needs to bring in quality because, for Jackett himself, it is vital he gets off to a good start to try and win back the belief of a lot of supporters.

‘So he needs a good start to the season, because if he doesn't, and fans get back in (to Fratton Park), it's going to be a bit nasty, I think.

‘It's got to be (his most important transfer window).

‘He's been here three years, he's taken the club to the play-offs twice.

‘The first year was about stablising in League One, which they did, they finished eighth.

‘It's a massive transfer window.

‘He's got to recruit quality in this window to ensure Pompey have a decent, actually not event a decent start, a good start to the season.

‘Mark Catlin has acknowledged the start to last season, 2019-20, cost Pompey massively.

‘It ensured that Pompey forever were chasing the rest of the pack.

‘They emerged from that superbly, let's give Jackett credit for that.

‘They caught up in the end and got stopped by coronavirus, but Pompey were always chasing because of that awful start to the season.

‘As a result, he needs to recruit well, he needs to decide on his team in the pre-season and not in September when he changes captains, and he's got to hit the ground running this season because his job is under threat clearly – certainly to the fans.’