Portsmouth suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of fierce local rivals Southampton last night in the third round of the Carabao Cup, but boss Kenny Jackett said there were many positives to take from the game in his post-match comments.
Danny Ings netted twice with further goals from Cedric Soares and Nathan Redmond giving the Premier League side a relatively comfortable evening in a hostile atmosphere at Fratton Park.
Yet despite the scoreline, Pompey boss Kenny Jackett felt there was much to build on from the defeat. He told the club’s official website, ‘The scoreline says we lost 4-0, but it was a very open game, and the outcome is slightly frustrating for us.’
‘But we didn’t want to come away having not had a go. We tried to play on the front foot and didn’t simply look to shut up shop.’
‘There were positives, and we have to try to replicate them in the league.’
Jackett also praised the passion on display from Pompey supporters who kept singing and backing his team right until the final whistle, despite the disappointing scoreline.
However, his praise cut no ice with many Portsmouth fans when they reacted to Jackett’s interview on social media. The pressure is certainly mounting on the fifty-seven-year-old after a poor start to the season. Pompey are currently just above the League One relegation places after only one league win so far, and the latest defeat to their closest rivals has done nothing to improve his popularity amongst the Fratton Park faithful.
Most fans appear to want him to resign or be sacked, with everything from his tactics to his demeanour pulled apart. It seems the experienced manager may well be a dead man walking with his days on the South Coast numbered, but judge for yourself from the following selection of responses to the interview on Twitter.
Really not sure what positives we can take from that performance. Glad to see he's still smiling though and showing the same emotions the fans did throughout the entire match… Absolutely shocking.
— Jack MacFarlane (@jack_MacFarlane) September 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/MrPoos/status/1176620302450794501?s=20
Please resign
— Niall Judge (@Niall_Judge26) September 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/dazzauk1966/status/1176619821347291137?s=20
Should resign for this – nothing than a win this weekend will do
— Deano (Dkillayoshi) (@Deanoooo808) September 24, 2019
Hate that stupid smug look, pathetic that the club stands by a tactically inept clown who has clearly lost his dressing room. We are the laughing stock of our league.
— Andy Haynes (@AndyHaynes147) September 24, 2019
Glad he is happy – because I’m not.
— Simon Stones (@citybluu2) September 24, 2019
Another assured display in defence???? Playing a striker in the defence cost us the first two goals. You can't get away with it at a decent level. Managers got to go, he's a dinosaur who's clueless @Michael_Eisner
— Gustavo (@Gustavomoss) September 25, 2019
What on earth have you dne to this team mate The defence is the worst I’ve seen it in years and you’ve bought in a top striker that doesn’t suit your style of play You’re destroying a 20 + goal ST Your defensive summer recruitment will cost us promotion this season I guarantee it
— Perry James Riordan (@PerryRiordan) September 24, 2019
Sack the dinosaur already!!
— Charlie Hansford (@HansfordCharlie) September 24, 2019
I ran a Poll on twitter, 94% of the fan base now lost his Support. time to go Jacket. I’ll get your Jacket oh sorry couldn’t resist
Completely outclassed not enough passion in the team
Wingers can’t cross cf never fed best sideways and reverse passing side in the league
Summer recruitment poor half injured Caitlin due diligence is shocking
Please k j pack up and go or I’m afraid we will be back in div 2 next season
PUP