Boss unconcerned by goals drying up for leading scorer
Marquis ‘leading line very well and really helping team’
KENNY JACKETT has shrugged off the significance of John Marquis’ goal drought – and saluted his leading scorer’s team contribution.
The 28-year-old has gone six matches without a goal following the flurry of success which saw him top League One’s scoring charts.
From October 20 until November 21, Marquis was in imperious form, netting nine times in eight appearances.
However, he has since failed to register, his most recent goal arriving in last month’s 4-1 win over Crewe Alexandra.
Nonetheless, the striker remains an essential pick for Jackett and supplied a sublime assist for Ryan Williams’ first goal at Ipswich Town last weekend.
And ahead of tonight’s trip to league leaders Hull City, Pompey’s boss is unconcerned over Marquis’ current form in front of goal.
Jackett said: ‘You are looking at the Ipswich game, when John hit the bar. He’s getting into good situations, ‘keepers are making good saves from him, and he has played very well.
‘I thought against Fleetwood (on Tuesday night) he led the line very well and is generally in good form.
‘We always want him to score goals. We want to create the chances for him, that is our aim. He is our centre-forward.
‘He has led the line very well and I’m sure if he keeps playing like this and we can keep performing well and creating chances, then the goals will come again.
‘John is in good form, leading the line very well at the moment and really helping the team. That’s the main thing.
‘Obviously every centreforward will want to be scoring goals and he is no different.
‘You do need to get the ball into John and into his feet, he will battle away as well. Get the ball into him, give him some quality and as a side he can really help you.
‘Can our centre-forward score goals? Yes.
‘He has a good total this season and so far helped the team to a good points total, which is important.
‘There is an overall contribution. Create the chances and he can finish.’
Ellis Harrison and Jordy Hiwula are the striking alternatives in Pompey’s present system.
Harrison has one goal from open play this season and been in and out of the side through injury and selection preference.
As for Hiwula, he has netted three times in five appearances, yet handed merely cameos in League One.
Jackett added: ‘I like all three attacking players, they are good.
‘You go into it game-by-game in terms of form, energy and balance of the team. They are important things.
‘You need forwards on the bench as well, you can’t have no forward options.’