‘Brilliant’ defence has Jacobs eyeing fourth promotion

You’ve got to be encouraged, says fit-again Blues winger

POMPEY’S miserly defence has Michael Jacobs dreaming of a fourth League One promotion.

Kenny Jackett’s men recorded their fifth consecutive League One clean sheet in Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Fleetwood Town.

Heading into tonight’s clash with AFC Wimbledon, it has been 476 minutes since Craig MacGillivray last conceded.

Overall, the Blues have let in 15 goals in 20 league matches this season, the jointbest in the division alongside Sunderland.

Jacobs is certainly familiar with promotion credentials, having previously won League One with Wigan Athletic (twice) and Wolves.

And the 29-year-old recognises that defensive strength which underpins successful teams.

He said: ‘You look at this level, if you keep yourself right at the back then you are going to get chances in the game.

‘The quality of the squad means you’ll get opportunities to score, which we did at Fleetwood to win it.

‘I see a team which is defensively resolute, which is so important for a promotion challenge.

‘In the second half, defensively we were brilliant. Craig didn’t have many saves to make in the match.

‘With our set-up, there were two banks of four, leaving Ryan (Williams) and John (Marquis) up there and then trying to break when we can do, especially with Fleetwood leaving gaps for us while committing bodies forward.

‘Fortunately, the boys at the back at the minute are doing well, with the clean sheets to show that. You’ve got to be encouraged.

‘There’s also people who can come in to do a job, such as Nico (Rasmus Nicolaisen). I think it’s a strong department.’

Third-placed Pompey entertain AFC Wimbledon tonight.

And at least a point could return the Blues into the automatic promotion places.

Jacobs, who was part of Jackett’s Wolves squad which claimed the title with a record points tally in 2014, added: ‘It’s a good sign when you can put different types of performance together.

‘AFC Wimbledon will be a completely different test, in terms of how we try to play and who plays. It’s trying to approach the game with an open mind.

‘After we scored on Saturday, it was one of those games where we knew we had to grind to get three points.’

ROCK SOLID Sean Raggett wins a header against Fleetwood

Pictures: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE Pompey wide player Michael Jacobs has already won promotion from League One three times in his career.