Portsmouth boss: Why I made that half-time double substitution against Hull

The Blues were left reeling after being thumped 4-0 in the top-of-the-table clash at Fratton Park.

Losing 1-0 at the break following Jack Whatmough’s own goal, Jackett introduced Ben Close and Harvey White for Andy Cannon and Ryan Williams.

Readjusting to a 4-3-3, the Blues went on to concede a further three times as performance levels plummeted.

And Jacket revealed why he made the tactical switch.

He told The News: ‘I did feel we lacked a little bit of energy in the second half, particularly through the middle, and both Ben and Harvey came on on Tuesday night affected that.

‘Andy (Cannon) was okay about it, obviously he didn’t want to come off, but similarly we needed to be able to get onto the ball a little bit more in the middle.

‘We were 1-0 down at half-time and couldn’t quite impact the game, so decided to change it.

‘I thought they (Close and White) did okay.

‘Harvey put some good balls in with his left foot, he was unlucky with a free-kick, which had the keeper scrambling as well.

‘Ben was lively on the ball, but unfortunately as a side we didn’t really get going.

‘It’s an interesting situation really, trying to get back in, but we lost the second half as well, 3-0.

‘We pulled Ben on the left-hand slightly. From our point of view, it was making sure we got the ball off the back of the back four and trying to affect the opposition.

‘But we couldn't get balls in, get into one-v-one situations and ultimately then get the clear-cut chances. I don’t think we had that many.’

Victory could have taken Pompey to the top of League One.

Instead they remain third, with second-placed Lincoln, managed by former boss Michael Appleton, visiting Fratton Park on Tuesday night.

Jackett added: ‘We are disappointed with the game and I didn’t think we had our usual energy.

‘Although we huffed and puffed after the break, we didn’t necessarily get closer in the second half and the game went further away, not closer, when I was hoping to get back into it.

‘Everyone must now focus on Tuesday night and make sure it doesn’t affect our morale or confidence. We have to work really hard to bounce back.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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