Skipper Tom Naylor's belief over how Portsmouth are moving away from long-ball approach

Tom Naylor believes Pompey’s style of football is evolving under Kenny Jackett.
Pompey's Tom Naylor and boss Kenny JackettPompey's Tom Naylor and boss Kenny Jackett
Pompey's Tom Naylor and boss Kenny Jackett

And he believes that could see them play a more expansive brand of play, as they bid to make it to the Championship at the fourth attempt.

Jackett’s approach to the game has been one of the supporters’ biggest sources of consternation during his reign as manager.

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But Naylor feels there’s the players at his disposal to mix up how they take on opponents this term - and that’s already being seen.

He said: ‘I think this season, so far, we have played really well.

‘The Stevenage first half was an odd one, but the second half I thought we played well, passed them off the park and should’ve scored more.

‘The Colchester performance, we didn’t give them a sniff really.

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‘They couldn’t break us down, and I think this season that’s how we’re going to go into games.

‘Everyone has the long ball, but I feel this season we have players who can play on the floor.

‘We’ve got the counter-attack in our locker. I think there’s a bit of mix and match to it.

‘We can’t always play, play, play. I’d rather us mix it up than try to play all the time, give it away and let them score.

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‘We have got different styles of play where we can go long in the air or get it down and play, I feel.’

Naylor pointed to the addition of attacking full-backs in Cameron Pring and Callum Johnson, as evidence Pompey have the players to go out on the front foot this term.

And he believes there’s the opportunity for the central defenders to make a mark in the manner their team approach attacking.

He added: ‘We’ve got to get the ball into the number 10’s feet, John’s (Marquis) feet or Johnno’s (Callum Johnson) feet.

‘We have the players to do that.

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‘When Clarkey was here he used to step out perfectly. Now he’s gone on and deserves to be where he is.

‘But everytime he went forward I just stayed in his position and covered him.

‘Now when Raggs gets the ball there’s space for him to run into. I’ll always be behind him if he loses it.

‘We’ve got players at the back now like Whattie (Whatmough), who’s come back into the fold, and is a really good footballer.

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‘Both full-backs have come in, settled straight away and are strong going forward with good delivery.’

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