Portsmouth boss reveals thoughts on John Marquis and reason for marquee signing's omission

Unlucky John Marquis’ refusal to sulk on the sidelines has been praised after he pressed his claim for a Pompey recall.
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It was the 27-year-old’s third goal in as many games, after getting on the scoresheet in last week’s EFL Trophy success at Walsall and FA Cup win at Fleetwood.

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The man billed as a marquee summer arrival after joining from Doncaster for a fee which could rise to £2m, hsa found himself out of the team for four games before his return at the Highbury Stadium.

That was a frustrating period for Marquis and Jackett feels he could count himself as unfortunate not to be starting, but the attitude has been the one he demands of his players.

Jacket said: ‘John’s played the last three and scored three goals.

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‘But I went with Ellis (Harrison) on Saturday for that particular game.

John Marquis. Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPepJohn Marquis. Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPep
John Marquis. Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPep

‘John can count himself unlucky.

‘The most important thing was he was ready and didn’t sulk.

‘He came on and got us the winner on Saturday.

‘That is football life (being out of the team).

‘Wherever you are and whoever you are. That’s football life as a player.

‘You have to accept that.’

Jackett explained the reason he decided to leave Marquis on the bench for the Dons win was to accommodate a player with deeper-lying instincts in Andy Cannon.

Cannon has offered the Blues a balance in an advanced midfield position, starting five of the past seven games.

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But when chasing the game after Joe Pigott’s second-half leveller Marquis’ attacking threat between the posts was needed.

Jackett added: ‘We know what John can do.

‘Against Wimbledon I felt we needed that third midfield player, because with their 3-5-2 they could control it a little bit.

‘That can frustrate you if you’re the supposed big team at home and they are the smaller side.

‘The third midfielder was needed for the majority of it.

‘As soon as I saw John moving in there (for the goal) I was confident.

‘From that position he makes really good runs and he got himself in two or three good positions. One of them was key.’

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