Portsmouth boss reflects on disintegration of League One's best defensive record within six weeks

Up until the 4-0 home hammering by Hull on January 23, the Blues possessed the most miserly defence in the league.

In the subsequent six weeks, they have shipped 19 goals in 10 games – including Saturday’s appalling 4-1 loss at struggling Northampton.

All four of the Cobblers’ goals arrived in an abject opening 43 minutes at the Sixfields Stadium.

Now seven teams have a better defensive return than Pompey.

Jackett told The News: ‘When you give goals away like we did (against Northampton), it’s very difficult to talk about the forward play because you need to have that base to go off.

‘A free-kick, two free headers from corners from three-yards out, and a ball over the top where we were in control. That made it frustrating for us.

‘With that fourth goal, we presented Sam Hoskins with the opportunity, he has sidestepped one of the defenders with a chest pass, which he has taken into his path, and chipped it over the keeper.

‘Very disappointing goals against us and ones that are avoidable. Unless you can get a good base, it’s very hard to then get a foothold in the game.

‘With our recent defensive record, it’s always a combination of things, we can’t say it’s down to one player or one unit necessary, you score and concede as a team.

‘As a side, we didn’t get it right and our defensive display, particularly in the early part of the game, wasn’t what we needed to compete and get points.

‘We have made mistakes. If you want to earn confidence again you need to roll your sleeves up and make sure you go again, that’s where the players are.

‘It’s a disappointing result and certainly in the first 30-40 minutes the game was out of sight for us.’

Among the chief culprits was Rasmus Nicolaisen, who had a wretched game on his fifth successive start.

He was among four players substituted on 59 minutes, with James Bolton replacing him and Jack Whatmough moving over to centre-half.

Jackett added: ‘Rasmus is learning and, in terms of his competitiveness, he has to keep working hard and adjusting to our football.

‘He is good enough to do that, he’s had some very good games.

‘Rasmus has had other games where he has been fine, there have been no problems.’

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