FIRING AGAIN
Give Marquis quality service and he will find the net, says Jackett –
KENNY JACKETT has detailed what’s required to keep John Marquis on the goal trail.
The Pompey striker ended his drought in the final third with the only goal in Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Fleetwood Town.
In the 16th minute,
Marquis showed great determination to get on the end of Ryan Williams’ inviting cross and head home under pressure.
It was the ex-Doncaster Rovers forward’s 12th goal of the season in all competitions – but the first time he etched his name on the scoresheet in nine matches.
Jackett pinpointed how Pompey need to continue playing the ball into Marquis’ feet to ensure he can link up with the likes of Ryan Williams, Marcus Harness and Michael Jacobs.
The 28-year-old also displayed battling qualities to provide the Blues with a focal point when they hit the Cod Army on the counter-attack.
It’s an area of his game he’s improved and Jackett believes that needs to continue if his side are to be promoted.
The boss said: ‘It wasn’t a free header by any means and he gave the keeper no chance.
‘I know we got another clean sheet but the quality was in the goal, both from the cross and the header from our front two combining, which is great to see.
‘I was always confident (he’d get back to scoring). Goalscorers can suddenly get 10 goals in 10 games but he’s been playing well.
‘That was the moment of quality. It was a great ball and a great finish.
‘We always say to our centre-forward that you’ve got to do the battling side of it by holding the ball up and winning headers.
‘But we have got to give the centre-forward quality as well. There are both sides to the game that they need.
‘John needs balls into his feet. He needs balls on the floor to join into moves as well and we have to take some responsibility to give him quality.
‘On the occasions he needs to battle and scrap, he has to give us that. It’s not one or the other.
‘To be an effective centreforward and someone leading the line, you have to have that responsibility and it is a hard job.
‘At the moment, he is very good at doing that.’
Marquis joined Pompey for a substantial fee from Doncaster in July 2019.
He scored 14 goals in 48 games as the Blues suffered a League One play-off semifinal defeat to Oxford United last campaign.
Marquis is enjoying a far better second season at Fratton Park, though, having bagged 12 goals in 27 games and has adapted to Jackett’s style.
Jackett reckons it’s going to be key to keep the former Millwall man firing if
Pompey are finally to reach the Championship.
And with the likes of
Ellis Harrison and Jordy Hiwula for competition, the manager’s pleased with his options.
He added: ‘You always want good and effective forwards and certainly if you’re going to get into the Championship.
‘We do feel we have got that and got goals in us with John, Ellis and Jordy.
‘Along our front line, with Marcus Harness, Ryan Williams, Ronan Curtis and Michael Jacobs, we do feel there are goals.’
Marquis is the joint-third highest scorer in League One this term with 10 league goals to his name.
‘That was the moment of quality. It was a great ball and a great finish.’
Kenny Jackett