‘No reason why he can’t takeBlues forward’

DANNY COWLEY has been backed as the right man to take Pompey forward despite failing to deliver a League One play-off finish – by predecessor Kenny Jackett.

The Blues’ League One promotion hopes came to a meek ending on the final day of the season with a 1-0 loss at home to Accrington.

A victory yesterday would have guaranteed Pompey a spot in the play-offs.

Cowley took over the Fratton Park reins in March after a woeful run of results resulted in Jackett losing his job.

The former Lincoln chief was handed a contract for the final 12 games of the campaign and tasked with securing a top-six berth.

And despite falling short of that target, Jackett believes Cowley should be given a new Pompey deal.

Speaking on Sky Sports ,he said: ‘From the outside now, it looks a good fit.

‘I think he handles himself very well, has got a good record at Lincoln and Huddersfield and there’s no reason why he can’t take Portsmouth forward.

‘They do need to rebuild. There are quite a number of players who are out of contract and, ultimately, it is a disappointing day because they started the day with it in their own hands.

‘If ever Portsmouth needed the crowd, they needed it today to get the performance and momentum going into the play-offs.

‘It wasn’t quite there and it did need the Charlie Daniels chance to go in to give the last five minutes a bit of a run to get in there.

‘Ultimately, they didn’t create enough going forwards and one really good strike from (Adam) Phillips has cost them.’