KENNY Jackett has called for a rapid start against Oxford United tomorrow to banish the memories of his Portsmouth side’s midweek defeat.
Pompey were on course for a third straight win at the start of the season, but AFC Wimbledon struck twice in the final 14 minutes at Fratton Park to claim a 2-1 Carabao Cup success.
And Jackett is looking for his team to get it out of their system immediately tomorrow.
He told The News: “It was a poor end to the game for us, obviously on Tuesday night, although it was a very close game.
“We want to start the game well against Oxford, it’s very important we do that and establish ourselves at home and continue our good form in the league.”
It is less than five months since United’s last visit to the south coast, which was Karl Robinson’s first game in charge.
That ended 3-0 to the home side in a televised game most memorable for Alex Mowatt’s penalty miss, which was followed by a red card for his role in a fracas with Nathan Thompson.
So far the two sides’ Sky Bet League One fortunes have been the polar opposite, but Jackett does not think United will be at the wrong end of the table for long.
He said: “I’m sure they’ve aspirations to do that (be in the promotion race), as we do, and many other teams do at this stage.
“They’ve got a competent squad and a good manager.
“For us it will be a good test – a game I’m looking forward to.”
POMPEY FACTFILE
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Form (all comps): WWL
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U’s last visit: Portsmouth 3, United 0 (League 1) Mar 25, 2018
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Predicted line-up (4-1-4-1): MacGillivray, Walkes, Whatmough, Clarke, Brown, Naylor, Lowe, Evans, Close, Curtis, Pitman.
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