Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett rues costly defensive mistakes in Blackpool defeat

Posted Sunday, February 25, 2018 by PA

Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett vented his frustrations at the defensive errors which saw his side drop away from the play-off picture following a 2-0 home loss to Blackpool.

Meanwhile, the Seasiders extended their unbeaten run to five games courtesy of goals in each half from Kyle Vassell and Clark Robertson.

Pompey find themselves in ninth position, four points off sixth-placed Plymouth, after their fifth home league match without victory.

“Defensively Blackpool made less mistakes than us.” Jackett said.

“The first error is a big one where Christian (Burgess) has elected to take it on his chest.

“And because of that touch, I am assuming it played Kyle Vassell onside and he is a big player for them.

“If you look at him coming back into their team, he has lifted them and has got the key first goal.

“With the second goal, it was a little bit of a hash clearance but even so Clark Robertson is clear on the far post.

“We give too many goals away and we did that today. Good sides don’t make mistakes.”

Vassell had the first chance of the game for Blackpool in the opening exchanges after he was played in by Nathan Delfouneso but he could only drag his effort wide.

Pompey responded with a chance of their own after 15 minutes through Oliver Hawkins when he was picked out by Jamal Lowe but he sent his shot over the bar.

Hawkins found himself with another chance which he narrowly missed on the half-hour mark when a header across the face of goal fell at his feet 10 yards out.

Blackpool took the lead through Vassell after 41 minutes as he poached the ball off Portsmouth defender Christian Burgess before slotting in his ninth goal of the season.

The visitors doubled their lead midway through the second-half when slack defending left Clark Robertson unmarked in the box leaving him with a simple header.

Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer hailed the impact of the returning Vassell as he watched his side move six points of the drop zone.

He said: “It was fabulous performance from us today.

“We limited to them to one shot on target and the lads deserve an enormous amount of credit. I honestly believe there is more to come from us.

“We spoke about the importance Kyle (Vassell) had and that we have to manage him properly so that we can get him through.

“He looked rusty at times with a little bit of his hold up play in the first-half but his finish is a wonderful finish for us.

“He should have had one earlier as well after a great pass from Nathan Delfouneso but he shot far-side instead of near-side. You saw the value of him today for us.”