Kenny Jackett urges Portsmouth defenders to score more goals

Posted Sunday, January 19, 2020 by PA

Kenny Jackett wants more goals from his defenders after Christian Burgess grabbed Portsmouth’s winner in a 1-0 Sky Bet League One success at Bolton.

Burgess netted his first of the campaign after 42 minutes, turning in at the far post, when Sean Raggett’s initial header was parried by goalkeeper Remi Matthews.

Pompey remain outside the top six but only on goal difference from Sunderland and Oxford.

“It was great to see us getting our noses in front from a set-piece because we had a lot of them in the first half but wasted a few of them,” said boss Jackett.

“And it was great to see Christian following up. My centre backs haven’t scored enough goals in the other boxes at set-pieces.

“As we know, if you want successful seasons you need one or maybe two getting between five or 10 goals which can help you.

“We went the first third of the season without that. It is good to see – for Christian anyway – a little bit coming.

“And our centre-backs played a big part in a key game. They should be encouraged by it and a breakthrough in terms of set-piece goals as on this occasion we made one of them count.

“I was looking for us, when it went end-to-end, to get that second goal.

“It didn’t come but congratulations to the players. They defended well, they fought for each other and showed fantastic spirit to get over the line. That is a credit to them.”

Bolton boss Keith Hill said: “It was a good performance, plenty of courage and it gave me plenty of optimism.

“The lads recovered well (from 5-1 midweek defeat at Lincoln) and showed bravery to play in front of the home supporters against one of the best teams in the league.

“They (Pompey) are on an upward curve, rebuilt and we have got to use them as an example. It shows what can be done when you have been in a similar position to the one we are in.

“There is life after administration,” added Hill, whose side remain 18 points from safety after starting the campaign under Phil Parkinson with a 12-point deduction.

“In the second half, at least, I thought we deserved something. In the first, we were more than in the game without looking too effective going forward.

“But sometimes the players have to remind themselves they are good players.”

Hill believed Bolton could have faced 10 men for nearly an hour had referee Tom Nield shown Raggett a red card instead of yellow for a foul on Joe Dodoo.

However, Jackett admitted: “It was touch and go. But that wasn’t an automatic red situation.

“Would the keeper have come out? Was the Bolton player going to make it? If there is a covering man or the ball is running away then it is quite close.

“Obviously, the referee deemed that was a close one.”