Time is ticking for Kenny Jackett as Pompey progress is questioned

Days look numbered for Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett after his side fell to a disappointing defeat at home to Wigan yesterday.

Wigan travelled down south as underdogs, but when that first whistle went, the Latics switched the roles as they put Pompey to the sword.

The hosts started the game brightly and controlled the pace of play comfortably for the first 25 minutes. But the closest they came to scoring was a cross from Ronan Curtis that caught out Wigan goalkeeper Jamie Jones. It struck the inside of the near post before rebounding behind Jones and agonisingly across the face of goal.

Wigan grew into the game and took their chance when it came around on 39 minutes. Lee Evans with a smart finish that lofted over Craig MacGillivray after the ball fell to him in the Portsmouth box.

The Latics doubled their advantage shy of the hour mark when Tom James took aim from a 30 yard free-kick. The full-back’s effort found the back of the net in spectacular fashion to give Jackett’s side a real problem.

https://twitter.com/LaticsOfficial/status/1310130305014140928

John Sheridan set up his team well and made it very hard for Pompey to get back into it despite the constant pressure after the second goal went in. They did eventually pull one back through substitute Ellis Harrison but it was very much too little too late.

It’s the first time they’ve lost at Fratton Park in the league in over 16 months, and it may have been a blessing no fans were there to witness it.

The style of football, team selection and most importantly recent results, have seen the majority of the fanbase disconnect from the club they love. The fans have made their feelings of concern known for a long period of time, stretching back to the play-off defeat to Sunderland in the 2018/19 campaign. And it appears until changes are made, they won’t reconnect.

Pompey fans are known for being the 12th man but yesterday, should the 18,000 passionate fans had made it into the stadium, it would have been a long 90 minutes or so for Jackett as he watched his side slump to a tame defeat. Although with the intimidating crowd, it would have made Wigan’s job a lot more harder to achieve.

However after this result, it’s worth taking a closer look into the progress being made at the south coast club. Departures of Matt Clarke and Jamal Lowe in the summer of 2019 left huge shoes to fill and those brought in to replace them, just haven’t been able to.

Jackett has been backed in the recruitment department bringing in the likes of John Marquis, Ellis Harrison and Marcus Harness. All of which cost considerable transfer fees for this level. Granted these players have the quality to succeed in a promotion challenging side.

So why aren’t they?

Just one goal scored in their last 360 minutes of football has raised eyebrows and only for the wrong reasons.

A mixture of playstyle and team selection has left the Fratton faithful discouraged about the thought of another season under him. After three games the Blues find themselves in 21st place and already seven points off the automatic promotion places. For Pompey’s hopes of promotion this season, that is very worrying.

It’s been a relatively quiet summer for Pompey who went about their business trying to fine tune their squad. Wigan have had a summer to forget after losing half of their team, including former Pompey winger Lowe as they endure some financial difficulties.

John Sheridan has taken over a team that’s mixed with youth and experience but it remains to be seen whether there is enough depth and quality there to hold their League One status let alone fight for promotion back to the Championship.

The two teams that met back in 2018 have almost swapped positions, as Pompey are now looking for promotion whereas the Latics want to steady the ship.

Wigan back in 2018 would be the team everybody feared to play, they were ruthless and rightfully gained promotion. For Pompey, draws against Shrewsbury and Rochdale already this season would suggest this is a promotion credential they lack; ruthlessness in front of goal, defensive stability and a working play-style.

Under Jackett, they have been unable to excite the fans, they have been unable to make teams fear playing them and most importantly, they have been unable to get the results they need to earn promotion.

The problem is that they don’t score and go for another goal, they don’t have that hunger to win games comfortably. Scoring one and trying to hold on is exactly the opposite of what Wigan did in 2018 when they won the league. That unfortunately, is the philosophy being drilled into a group of quite talented players who ultimately deserve better.

Should Jackett remain in charge for the season, a fifth consecutive season in this league beckons you feel for the Blues.

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