Ryan Williams: I don't care about 'Jackettball' if Portsmouth succeed

Pompey’s standing as one of ugly footballing sides of League One is established.
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‘Jackettball’, as a sizeable section of Blues fans who want their manager replaced call it, isn’t pretty to watch and relies far too much on getting the ball forward quickly.

But Ryan Williams couldn’t care less.

The Australian winger has no problem with eschewing an expansive game in favour of a more robust approach – if it delivers results.

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And for much of the 26-year-old’s time at Fratton Park, that’s exactly what Jackett’s approach has done.

The online groans have intensified to a crescendo over the summer, after a second successive play-off disappointment.

But Jackett is viewed as the man to take the club forward and deliver Championship football, and Williams believes he has the methods to deliver it.

The stats show that, after a slow start, Pompey produced consistent and effective football.

Pompey's Ryan Williams.  Picture: Robin JonesPompey's Ryan Williams.  Picture: Robin Jones
Pompey's Ryan Williams. Picture: Robin Jones
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That, of course, was borne out by formidable home form and a record-breaking run of consecutive victories.

Now, for Williams, it’s about doing what needs to be done to reach the second tier - and if that isn’t easy on the eye then so be it.

‘We need to hit the ground running and get into our stride this season,’ said the former academy product.

‘We just need to play games and get into rhythm quickly.

‘Maybe we don’t play the prettiest football, but we end up getting results.

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‘And I know some fans are on the gaffer, but I don’t really take much notice of things like that.

‘When we have dips we have to make sure they don’t last too long. That’s main thing, trying to avoid losing two games on the bounce.

‘With the congestion of fixtures you could be 12 points better off over two weeks.

‘I think we are capable of doing what needs to be done to get there this time.’

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To deliver the success Williams and everyone involved with Pompey crave, they are going to have to overcome a division many observers feel will be tougher than last term.

Perhaps a saving grace is the fact the teams coming down from the Championship are all facing varying degrees of strife, either financially or through fan unrest.

Williams has no doubt a testing terrain lies ahead with the likes of Ipswich, Sunderland and Peterborough already in the division.

Then there’s the relegated trio of Wigan, Charlton and particularly a Hull side the Pompey man feels will be dangerous.

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And Williams picked out MK Dons as an outfit who may surprise a few.

‘You’ve still got Ipswich, Sunderland and Peterborough are going to be good.

‘You’ve got Hull and all these teams coming down who are going to be good teams.

‘Hopefully we can catch them off guard, because last season these teams have probably been leaning towards a losing mentality.

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‘Grant McCann is a good manager who does well in League One.

‘It’s going to be difficult, but we have to do what we’re good at.

‘They lost a lot of games but they’ve still got some good players in that squad.

‘Charlton as well will be good because they signed a few players before the cap came in.

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‘I think MK Dons will be good this season. They impressed me but didn’t end up where they should have. Another year together and I think they’ll do well.

‘They played really well when we went there, good to watch and hard to play against, too.

‘I think they’ll be good, but the ball’s there in anyone’s court.

‘Hopefully a couple run away with it - and we want one of them to be us.’

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