Why Portsmouth had a stuttering start last season as they aim to hit ground running this time

The Blues’ stuttering start in the opening months of the campaign meant they were ultimately playing catch-up on their League One rivals.

And when the season was curtailed and the table decided by an unweighted points-per-game formula amid the Covid-19 outbreak in March, Kenny Jackett’s missed out on a top-two spot by two points.

Pompey’s preparations last summer were impacted by Matt Clarke’s departure to Derby, Jamal Lowe’s protracted transfer saga before his move to Wigan and Nathan Thompson leaving for Peterborough.

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And with the Blues bringing in a host of new faces, including the likes of John Marquis, Ellis Harrison, Marcus Harness, Sean Raggett and Ryan Williams, it took a while for those players to gel.

OPINION: The current climate won't tolerate another poor league start from Pompey

That was evident in the 1-0 opening-day defeat at Shrewsbury, with Pompey lacking any real cohesion.

But Jackett’s optimistic that won’t happen this time around when the Blues bring the curtain up on their League One season against the same opponents this afternoon at Fratton Park.

The boss said: ‘It was a stuttering start for us and we couldn't get going.

‘We didn't have many league games and got ourselves into good positions when playing well in games but threw them away.

‘It was quite a frustrating time at the start of last season. We couldn't quite get into any rhythm and didn't have many league games.

‘When they did come around, they felt so important and it was quite a nerve-racking situation for the players.

‘As the season went on, they settled down and starting getting going in terms of finding their feet and building partnerships, which is what you always want.

‘Everybody wants to start well. As well as that, the players have to build up their partnerships as they’ll be anxious to get the season going, build partnerships and find their rhythm.

‘We want to play well in the weeks ahead and think we have the opportunity to do that.’

Pompey are among several sides expected to be pushing for the Championship this term.

The likes of Sunderland, Peterborough, Hull, Oxford, Ipswich and Fleetwood are also tipped to be challenging to go up.

Jackett added: ‘Wherever you are, it always looks difficult and there are many good teams in the division.

‘At the top of League One, there were eight or 10 sides who were very good last season and it will be the same again this year.

‘it’s not an easy division to be successful in. It’s hard to assess the opposition and depends on who gets going as.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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