A scenario not warranting the surrender of Portsmouth promotion hopes - Neil Allen's half-term report

Before Hull and Lincoln, belief was snowballing. Perhaps this would finally be the season when Pompey clinched their Championship comeback.

Within a space of a week, some have written off reaching the top two, there are those calling for Kenny Jackett’s dismissal, and, curiously, some actually view Jack Whatmough’s three-game absence as beneficial.

So here we are at League One’s half-way mark.

The fifth-placed Blues are seven points adrift of leaders Hull with two games in hand. Hardly a scenario to warrant surrender.

Incidentally, before referring to this month’s defeats to Hull and Lincoln as compelling evidence of Pompey's inferiority, let’s not forget Jackett’s men previously won at both clubs this season.

Still, doubts are understandable, there are clearly legitimate concerns.

For instance, Marcus Harness is presently struggling to perform at his most effective, Ronan Curtis has noticeably dipped this term after two years of flourishing.

As for up front, John Marquis, apart from a prolific six weeks between October and November, he has lacked potency.

The alternative, Ellis Harrison, appears a shadow of the player which started the season so impressively, while Jordy Hiwula can’t even force his way onto a seven-man bench these days.

Still, it would be ludicrous to write such players off. Harness is potentially Championship calibre, while Curtis, Marquis and Harrison are top quality at the current level, perhaps capable of higher.

Similarly, now is also not the time to dismiss Pompey’s automatic promotion credentials.

Undoubtedly there are goals across this team, while, until Hull, the Blues possessed the best defensive record in the division, had registered six successive clean sheets and were on track to create a club post-war league record of minutes without conceding.

History also should not be dismissed when assessing the current state of play surrounding Pompey promotion hopes.

Jackett’s current side boast a league record more impressive in comparison to the same stage in the 2016-17 campaign.

Overall, today’s team have two more points (41), one more goal (37), conceded two fewer (20), possess a better goal difference (17) and have won one more match (12).

Despite having such inferior figures, albeit marginal, we hardly need reminding what Paul Cook’s men managed to achieve that term.

If they can claim promotion from such a position, why not the Class of 2021?

It’s also worth reflecting on Pompey’s strengths this season.

Firstly, Whatmough, Tom Naylor, Craig MacGillivray and Harness are outstanding players, among the very best at this level. With Sean Raggett and Curtis not too far behind.

Ryan Williams and Andy Cannon have blossomed this term, producing the best football of their Fratton Park careers, while Lee Brown is excelling now he is free of his long-term Achilles issue.

September acquisition Callum Johnson is making great strides in his new surroundings and Michael Jacobs clearly has a touch of class about him, in addition to a CV detailing three previous League One promotions.

As for Marquis, he remains one of League One’s most feared strikers with a magnificent goal-scoring record, while admirably selfless to the cause.

The crucial ingredients are there – and 23 matches remain. This is not the occasion to be hammering the panic button.

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