Portsmouth winger handed licence to thrillÂ

Kenny Jackett has handed Jamal Lowe the licence to thrill.Â
Jamal Lowe nets his seventh goal of the season at Maidenhead. Picture: Joe PeplerJamal Lowe nets his seventh goal of the season at Maidenhead. Picture: Joe Pepler
Jamal Lowe nets his seventh goal of the season at Maidenhead. Picture: Joe Pepler

The Pompey boss revealed he's given the winger more freedom in the final third to up his goalscoring threat.

Lowe is currently the League One leaders' top scorer with seven goals this season '“ only one fewer than his tally last term. 

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The former Hampton & Richmond ace has also registered four assists. 

Jamal Lowe nets his seventh goal of the season at Maidenhead. Picture: Joe PeplerJamal Lowe nets his seventh goal of the season at Maidenhead. Picture: Joe Pepler
Jamal Lowe nets his seventh goal of the season at Maidenhead. Picture: Joe Pepler

Although Jackett was still impressed with Lowe's performances during the 2017-18 campaign, he recognised the 24-year-old could still improve.

And the boss feels Oli Hawkins spearheading Pompey's attack has helped bring Lowe into play more frequently.

Jackett said: 'For Jamal Lowe, after a good season last year, making sure that he can improve his goalscoring and his assists was important.

'˜Giving him the freedom to do that. 

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'˜He has quite a lot of freedom to be able to get involved and the final third is obviously a key area and one where he can have an affect.

'˜Also for Jamal and a number of other players as well, the inclusion of Oli Hawkins has helped bring players in to the game at times.'

The Pompey golden boot is very much up for grabs this season.

Lowe faces competition from Hawkins, Ronan Curtis, Gareth Evans and current holder Brett Pitman for the prize.

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Jackett doesn't care who clinches the accolade, though, as long as the ball ends up in the back of the net.

He added: 'We want goals from all over, goals from all angles.

'˜I don't really look at individual totals.

'˜It's important you do get goals, though, where they come from doesn't necessarily matter.'