Kenny Jackett reveals Ronan Curtis offered new Portsmouth deal

Posted Sunday, February 02, 2020 by PA

Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett revealed Ronan Curtis has been offered a new contract after the Irishman played a key role in his side’s 2-0 win over promotion rivals Sunderland.

Curtis set up the goals for Christian Burgess and James Bolton as Portsmouth leapfrogged the Black Cats into the League One play-off places.

The £3million rated winger was subject of interest from Championship club Blackburn during the transfer window.

Jackett said: “We are in talks with Ronan over a new contract, I’m sure as and when things are done they will be announced.

“We have been really pleased with him and I was pleased with him today, he played really well, he really did stretch them.”

“We’ve scored a good goal with a terrific ball from Ronan. I thought it as an excellent free-kick that he just put it on the money for Christian to score.”

Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien came closest to opening the visitors when he struck a post from 20 yards.

Pompey took the lead in the 25th minute when centre-back Burgess marked his 200th appearance for the club by heading in emphatically at the back post from Curtis’s free-kick.

Two minutes before the break Jon McLaughlin pulled off an excellent save to prevent Bailey Wright heading into his own net from Andy Cannon’s cross.

Pompey came out for the second half the stronger side and Bolton doubled the hosts’ lead on 52 minutes side footing home Curtis’ corner from close range.

The south coast side have now won their last eight games.

Jackett said: “Probably since the start of November we’ve gradually improved. Our side has got better as it’s gone along and we’ve gained the confidence off that.

“We’re still in three competitions but the league is our priority, there is no doubt about that.

“As a manager you have to be aware of both extremes for supporters and in general.

“The emotion of it is fantastic and the highs and lows are there but if you’re working in you have to take some kind of levelness.

“You’re disappointed when it’s not going well and your happy when it is but you have to take the edge off it.

“There is no key to the turnaround, they are ultimately boring, mundane and routine things; team-spirit, attitude, hard work, preparation.”

Sunderland’s misery was compounded by defender Joel Lynch being hospitalised after a nasty clash with Pompey striker Ellis Harrison, which resulted in lengthy stoppage time.

Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson said: “He was knocked unconscious and he’s gone to hospital, we don’t really know the extent of his injury yet.

“I think the centre forward has pushed Lynchy into him and there’s no need to do that and he looks like he’s suffered a very bad injury.

“It is a worry when someone’s been knocked clean out and the medical team are on there quickly.

“I thought first half we played some great stuff and were the better side but I felt second half they started with an intensity.

“They put the ball in behind us, played a very direct kind of way and pinned us back and got the second goal.

“I just felt when they got the second it gave them a huge lift.

“We just couldn’t get out and we couldn’t get the ball down and play like we did in the first half which was compounded by going down to 10 men with Lynch’s injury.”