THE HEAT IS ON
Jackett acknowledges pressure after sluggish start continues
UNDER-FIRE Kenny Jackett acknowledged the Pompey pressure after a dismal defeat to Wigan Athletic.
A rising number of those supporters exiled from Fratton Park have been demanding the Blues boss’ dismissal over social media following Saturday’s 2-1 loss.
Defeat against a Latics side embroiled in a financial crisis represented Pompey’s first league and play-off home loss for almost 17 months.
The result leaves Jackett’s men fourth from bottom – in the League One relegation spots – following two points from their first three fixtures.
And Pompey’s boss acknowledged his sputtering side had shown only ‘bits and pieces’ during the campaign so far.
He told The News: ‘There’s always pressure in management, we understand how the game works.
‘And obviously you do need results.
‘That’s three games in now. There’s a lot to go, but we didn’t necessarily want to be in this position after three games – and that is frustrating.
‘Is there enough to go, though? Yes there is, in terms of a talented squad and enough games.
‘We’ve shown bits and pieces so far this season.
‘I thought we started well on Saturday and lost a bit of confidence when their first goal went in. There was more than enough time to come back, although it looked a strange goal to concede.
‘But, similarly for us, in terms of performances we’ve had good spells in games, without that winning performance we need and are capable of.
‘We have fired in parts of games, and the first part of Saturday we did look on top. It looked like our day to get our first win.
‘Unfortunately we couldn’t get that one over the line and get through.’
Wigan’s Lee Evans opened the scoring in the 39th minute of a first half which started brightly for the Blues but gradually faded.
Tom James added a 59th-minute free kick to double Wigan’s advantage, before substitute Ellis Harrison pulled one back late on.
Although the hosts finished on the front foot, they were largely ineffective in the final third and lacked creativity.
It’s an element which has been absent from their previous League One fixtures this term, culminating in two goalless draws.
Jackett added: ‘I felt the game was there for us.
‘Although I do believe in terms of our balls into the box and our set-pieces, we do need to make more of them because they have been numerous.’