Kenny Jackett has admitted Blackburn – due to the fact they’re just outside of the automatic promotion places – come to Fratton Park as the favourites with Pompey the underdogs this evening.
However, having studied the strengths and weaknesses of the visitors, knowing what the Blues can do, being ‘slight underdogs’ isn’t a bad thing.
Jackett told portsmouthfc.co.uk: ‘I have a lot of respect for Blackburn and the players – and management team – that they have. We know their strengths, but the main thing is making sure we set our own standards and keep improving. We’ll be slight underdogs and that can suit us. We want a performance that gets our crowd going and we’re certainly capable of that.’
This game, a first of five in a 15 day period, will test the full strength of the squad with Jackett looking for us to prove ‘we’re one of the better sides in this division.’ He also feels it could be a ‘season-defining’ period.
‘We’ve made the transition to League One quite quickly, but you aspire to be successful and we’re firmly in the hunt. But we’re looking at a group of players rather than just 11, especially with Southend to come on Saturday and then Fleetwood the following Tuesday,’ said Jackett.
Adding: ‘You need to be ready to make changes if that’s required, perhaps because of injuries and suspensions. So the more good players you have available – and I include Burgess in that – the better is it for everyone.’
Underdog, favourites, does it really matter? We’ll all hope for the same outcome at Fratton, a Pompey win, which should it come could mean we really could be serious play off candidates.
PLAY UP POMPEY
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2017-18 Prediction League – February
Blackburn (h) Tuesday 13th February 2018 – click here.
Southend (a) Saturday 17th February 2018 – click here.
Fleetwood (a) Tuesday 20th February 2018 – click here.
Blackpool (h) Saturday 24th February 2018 – click here.
