Manager praises attitude after emphatic response
THEREwere question marks over the character of Pompey’s players after the limp defeat to Wigan Athletic, writes Will Rooney.
While Kenny Jackett bore the brunt of criticism as the Blues slumped to a 2-1 home loss against a Latics side in a crisis on Saturday, September 26, his troops also got their share.
The Fratton Park boss insisted his side had the hunger to succeed when speaking to The News
ahead of Pompey’s trip to Burton Albion, however, and expected an emphatic response.
That’s indeed what he got. The visitors picked up a well-deserved 4-2 victory on Saturday, with Marcus Harness firing a hat-trick and defender Jack Whatmough on target.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Blues, though. Despite taking a 79-second lead, they went into half time behind courtesy of a deflected Lucas Akins strike and Tom Naylor own goal.
Pompey needed to show their resolve as they emerged for the second period.
And given the ‘talent and desire’ Jackett sees in training on a daily basis, he was always confident the Blues could tur n it around to pick up a maiden League One win of the campaign. He said: ‘I see them in training every day and they are a very good training group, this group.
‘That does show and the attitude is there that they want it.
‘I do believe in this group. A lot of them are on the way up and they have a lot of talent and desire.
‘If the combinations are right, we then need to make sure we can show the commitment on a Saturday.
‘In the second half, we nailed it better. It gave us the platfor m to go forward more.
‘I’m pleased with the players and in ter ms of the league season, they’ll be looking to build on this confidence the result has given them.
‘I did think so (we’d tur n it around). We did need certain things to happen, particularly in the defence third, but if we kept going at them, then I thought that there were more goals in it as well.’