Portsmouth boss' response after Sunderland legend questions players' heart and desire

The Blues players go to Wembley in the Papa John’s Trophy this weekend with intense criticism raining down on them and boss Kenny Jackett as the wheels come off their season.

Fans are calling for the manager’s head, while the players rightly find themselves in the firing line after just one win in seven games.

There was criticism from respected ex-professionals in Matt Taylor and Kevin Phillips after the 2-0 loss to Sunderland on Tuesday, with the former Black Cats man questioning the ‘heart and desire’ of the Pompey players.

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Jackett accepted that assessment from the pair and believes it’s down to him and his players to show there is the determination to put things right.

He said: ‘The guys are there to do a job and they can only say what they see.

‘We’ll accept that. We’re in a position - myself as a manager and the players - to be criticised when you lose games. That’s it.

‘The only thing you can do is get that right in the next session and get that right in the next game.

‘Criticism obviously hurts but it’s part of it. You have to be able to take that and respond - that’s the most important thing.

‘Whatever people’s opinions are, and whether you agree with that or don’t, it’s the next game and the next run of games which count. Ultimately, that’s the way to answer them.’

It was less than 11 weeks ago Pompey topped the League One table at Christmas, before the galling downturn in results leaves them likely to fall out of the play-off berths, as attention turns to the Papa John’s Trophy final this weekend.

Jackett has indicated he intends to put a strong team out for the final, a move which some fans have questioned.

But with the team on such a poor run of form, the Pompey boss feels turning that run around as soon as possible is the priority.

He added: ‘I have a lot of confidence in the players.

‘We’ve done it before and it was only Christmas that we were top of the league.

‘We’ve been inconsistent since then and played well in spells, but it hasn’t been enough.

‘Now as the weeks go by we have to make sure our season doesn’t slip away.

‘People ask can we wait (in terms of team selection), but we can’t - it’s the here and now.

‘It’s this Saturday which counts leading on to Tuesday and Saturday.

‘That’s all the focus. It’s an opportunity - an opportunity we have take with both hands otherwise the season will slip away.’

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