Lack of big-name opponent will not hurt preparations
Jackett shrugs off importance of a high-profile friendly
THERE is a distinct lack of showpiece opposition among Pompey’s summer schedule.
For Kenny Jackett, though, the significance of facing big-name teams during preseason preparation can often be overestimated.
The Blues’ players are booked for a training return on Thursday, June 27.
They will then embark on a seven-game friendly programme ahead of the August 3 start to the League One campaign.
A trip to League of Ireland premier division side UCD kicks it off on July 10 – arguably the most high-profile of all their pre-season opponents.
There is also the Hawks, Stevenage and Crawley, while a Pompey XI have midweek fixtures at nonleaguers Bognor, Aldershot and Woking.
And Jackett is satisfied with the challenge that schedule offers his promotion-hunting side.
He said: ‘We have to take what we can get. there are some big, high-profile games in the Premier League, that’s great but it’s hard to get those matches.
‘Those guys don’t necessarily want to commit early and all of a sudden are looking for big money. If ‘It’s hard to get the ones right at the top. ‘But the preseason period is about getting your team ready, whoever the opposition are, and generally you don’t play anybody at your level. ‘You try to work a pre-season Pompey’s seven friendlies begin with Irish side UCD on July 10 programme which suits you and gives you a chance of starting the season well.
‘I don’t think it matters if you haven’t got a big name.
‘The opposition is sometimes a little bit irrelevant.
‘What matters is how you start the season, you need preseason to work on your team.
‘You generally overachieve when you are playing up and underachieve against the sides when you are playing down, that happens a lot.
‘Hence it’s tough to gauge pre-season results against how you are going to start.’
Fratton Park will not be hosting any summer friendlies – with a semi-artificial surface being laid and ground development taking place.
Jackett added: ‘You look for good playing surfaces.
‘Eastleigh’s pitch was relaid a couple of years ago and we called it off.
‘It’s no good losing players in pre-season.
‘When I arrived at this club, Paul Cook had organised a friendly at Sutton United but we called it off.
‘An Astroturf game in preseason wouldn’t suit me.’