Kenny Jackett has claimed Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup match against Southampton can be the catalyst for Portsmouth’s season, with the tie seeing the two sides meet on the pitch for the first time since 2012, as per 11v11.
“We want to keep improving our performances and this game can be a catalyst,” Jackett told the club’s official website.
The pressure is beginning to grow on Jackett, with Pompey currently sitting just one place and two points above the relegation zone, though they do have two games in hand on most of the teams around them, as per BBC Sport.
Portsmouth have won just one league game from their seven this season, with none of those coming in their last five matches, as per Transfermarkt.
They have excelled in the cup competitions though, winning every game they have played across the Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy – against Birmingham City, Queens Park Rangers, Crawley Town and Norwich City U21s.
Pompey are unbeaten in their last four matches against Southampton, which have been played out across the Premier League, Championship and FA Cup, having won twice and drawn the other two.
Jackett is certainly correct in saying that a victory over Southampton can act as a catalyst for Pompey, as it would be a massive boost for the club.
To beat your rivals, having not played them for around seven years, would certainly help lift the mood around the club, even if it is uncertain whether that would be enough to get the fans on the manager’s side.
However, it can also be dangerous to view this as the catalyst for Pompey, as it potentially puts more pressure on a game that will already be incredibly intense – it also means that if the team loses then the impact could be even worse for the feeling towards him within the club.
Portsmouth fans, can a positive result push your club forward? Join the discussion by commenting below…
