'Extremely toxic' – Inside track on under-pressure Kenny Jackett and Portsmouth ahead of Sunderland clash

Portsmouth arrive on Wearside on Saturday for what has become a grudge fixture in recent seasons with “the majority” of their fans convinced manager Kenny Jackett is no longer a fit for them.

So much so that he has an increasingly popular nickname among the Fratton Park faithful: Jackett Potato.

Neil Allen, chief sportswriter at The News and author of the “Played Up Pompey” book trilogy has seen enough to believe that “exceptional pro” Jackett should be given more time.

And three wins in their last four outings, including a 2-0 victory at Gillingham in midweek, also points to that.

But Allen also cannot ignore the strength of feeling which has built up against the Pompey boss.

“Things are extremely toxic outside the club amongst supporters,” he says. “The majority want Jackett to leave.

“He is, though, an exceptional pro and is highly experienced – he doesn’t let outside influences affect his mindset.

“However, the style of football has begun to grate and that has had a large influence on the fanbase’s opinion towards him.

“The midweek success only represented a marginal easing of the pressure.”

That pressure is also a hangover of two seasons in which Pompey – just like Sunderland – have failed to deliver on their sole aim: promotion.

With a double failure on that score to Phil Parkinson’s one, Jackett renews rivalry with a club who featured in the high point of his time at Pompey – the Checkatrade Trophy final in March 2019 – at a low ebb.

“Losing out in the play-offs over the last two seasons has been an inevitable hit to morale,” adds Allen.

“Combine that with the introduction of the salary cap this season and a relatively inactive summer in the transfer market, and there hasn’t been too much positivity since the start of campaign.

“Having said that, Jackett’s 53% win percentage since he joined the club in 2017 could be at least one source of optimism.”

And Pompey’s increasing success in managing to Harness the talents of a mercurial winger in a new striking role is further cause for hope.

Asked to identify the biggest threat to Sunderland’s unbeaten league start and five-game run of clean sheets, Allen adds: “Marcus Harness. He’s a tricky winger who’s been converted into a second striker in recent weeks."

Victory at Priestfield means Pompey are likely to opt for a slight tactical tweak at most in terms of changes at the Stadium of Light.

“Kenny Jackett switched to a 4-4-2 on Tuesday so may be tempted to go for the same personnel and shape. Considering Sunderland’s strong start, though, he could revert back to his more commonly used 4-2-3-1,” says Allen.

“Squad-wise, there are no fresh injuries, although new signing Jordy Hiwula – who left Coventry City in the summer and was a free agent – will likely go onto the bench in place of youngster Alfie Stanley.”

“Considering Sunderland’s outstanding defensive record so far this season and the fact that Portsmouth have struggled to score goals in open play, I wouldn’t necessarily expect it to be a high-scoring one,” says Allen.

“I’ll go for 1-1.”

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