Portsmouth News

Belief in defence remains despite Stevenage horror

Jackett keeps the faith after calamitous first-half effort

- By WILL ROONEY

KENNY JACKETT still has belief in his Pompey defence despite their first-half horror show at Stevenage.

Each of the goals the Blues conceded in the 3-3 draw at Broadhall Way on Saturday were calamitous as Boro raced into 2-0 and 3-1 leads within the opening 45 minutes.

Pompey clawed their way back into the game, with Ronan Curtis, a Gareth Evans penalty and John Marquis netting.

The Blues then won 3-1 on penalties to reach the second round of the Carabao Cup.

All of the goals Jackett’s side shipped were defence mix-ups, somewhat of a worry ahead of the new League One season starting in less than two weeks’ time.

The Pompey boss was pleased how his rearguard of James Bolton, Paul Downing, Sean Raggett and Lee Brown responded in the second half, though, and remains confident in the quartet.

But he knows mistakes like at Stevenage need to be stamped out quickly.

Jackett said: ‘We were at sixes and sevens (defensivel­y in the first half) and couldn’t make the right decisions, which was frustratin­g.

‘It was good to see, though, that we came through it in the second half and looked more solid.

‘It’s getting some regular football, getting into a rhythm. There are some experience­d players back there that can do very well for us next year. ‘Obviously, the nature of the goals we

The goals conceded by Pompey in the opening 29 minutes at Stevenage were disappoint­ed with.

‘All goals hurt you. Looking at them, Sean thought it was about communicat­ion on the first goal, but it looked quite a good goal to me, a great touch from Elliott List and finish.

‘Two and three were avoidable to be honest with you, probably unenforced errors.

‘They are an experience­d back four and with many good clean sheets and performanc­es with those guys in there.

‘For us, it’s early season we want to eradicate mistakes, definitely, but we also want to build momentum and build confidence if we can.’

Jackett was happy with Pompey’s attacking output against Stevenage.

But he accepts the Blues won’t be promoted this term if they consistent­ly concede three times in a game - like they did at Stevenage.

Jackett added: ‘If we are looking at coming away in the cup to a league team, they are hard games and we have scored three goals.

‘Similarly, you can’t win too many games if you concede three. You have to recognise that and work at it.’

 ??  ?? DOUBLE UP Charlie Carter slides in Stevenage’s second goal
DOUBLE UP Charlie Carter slides in Stevenage’s second goal

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