Why Kenny Jackett believes Portsmouth can end their League One slump against Sunderland at Fratton Park

Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett accepts responsibility for the side’s poor form but says they are capable of beating anyone in League One.
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Pompey have won just one of their last six games and dropped to sixth in the table following a 4-1 defeat at Northampton .

Pressure has mounted on Jacket ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with promotion rivals Sunderland at Fratton Park but the 59-year-old believes he can turn things around.

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“The nature of it is as a manager is the buck stops with me,” said Jackett. “I know that and accept that.

Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett.Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett.
Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett.

“The results have been disappointing and hard to take. You do feel it 100 per cent as a manager. There is no doubt about it.

“To be able to make sure you can put that right is everything in your thinking.

“It envelopes you, and quite rightly so, because you should be committed to turning things around and putting on a performance that builds confidence with the players.

“All you can do is plan the next session and the next game.

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“There has to be an accurate assessment of what you need to do and where you need to improve. That’s as a team.

“Then you need to set the mood moving forward to put things right with good performances and good results - starting on Tuesday.”

Portsmouth are just five points behind Sunderland in the table, having played the same number of games.

Jackett still appears to have the support of the Pompey board, though that could change if their slump continues.

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“For the board, they’re disappointed like we all are. They’re disappointed and were disappointed with Saturday,” Jackett added.

“There hasn’t been any more or less conversations than there would be ordinarily between the board, manager and coaching staff.

“Of course they’re disappointed like we all were. For us moving forward now we have to focus on putting things right.

“It’s our job to deliver and it’s our job right now to respond. That’s where it is.

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“For the players, they’re capable of it. When we get our game right we’re capable of beating anyone in this division.

“Sometimes the big games are the best ones to play.”

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