Pompey fear no-one but understand huge importance of game against the Trotters

KENNY JACKETT is under no illusions of the importance of Pompey’s League One encounter with Bolton on Saturday.

The Blues are currently languishing 20th in the table – two points above the relegation zone.

They have endured a frustrating start to their league campaign, managing a solitary victory from seven outings to date.

That damning statistic prompted a section of the travelling contingent to call for the manager to be sacked after last weekend’s defeat at Wycombe.

There were encouraging signs in the 4-0 Carabao Cup loss to arch-rivals Southampton on Tuesday night.

But Jackett knows the same effort, commitment and energy must be on show against the Trotters.

Bolton, rooted to the foot of the table, were deducted 12 points before the season began after going into administration.

Yet a club takeover was completed by Football Ventures last month which allowed them to totally reshape their squad.

And having initially struggled, Keith Hill’s side head to Fratton Park on the back of successive draws.

They came close to clinching a maiden victory last time out against Sunderland, only for Aiden McGeady's last-gasp penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw for the Black Cats.

Before that, Bolton drew 0-0 with an Oxford side who had been beaten only once in their past eight outings.

Jackett said: ‘Coming to Fratton Park is a big game for everybody – but this is a bigger game for us.

‘Our players know how important the game is. We know we need to get going.

‘But while every opponent has to be respected, I don’t think we need to fear anybody. ‘There is nothing for us to fear in this division. ‘The sides we’ve played so far, we shouldn’t be fearing.

‘We should respect them but the most important thing is about getting the performance level right.’ Bolton currently prop up the League One table, having collected just three points from their eight games played.

That sees them sit on minusnine points.

But Jackett is wary of the threat the Trotters will pose at Fratton Park.

‘They’ve had some good results lately and they’ll be trying hard to build some confidence and go on a run if they can,’ he added.

‘They’ll be trying hard to push up the table.’ Bolton were deducted 12 points at the start of the season