Kenny Jackett admits Portsmouth outclassed in first half of Doncaster draw

Posted Sunday, August 26, 2018 by PA

Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett was pleased with his side’s second half display in their 0-0 draw at Doncaster Rovers.

The early pacesetters lost their one hundred per cent winning record in Sky Bet League One this season at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Pompey recovered from a slow start and were denied three times by Rovers goalkeeper Marko Marosi in the second period before the Slovakian was red carded for handball.

However, the unbeaten visitors ran out of time to test makeshift stopper Ben Whiteman.

“In the first half we had to defend and we defended very well,” said Jackett.

“We denied them any real clear-cut chances which was good but we didn’t get going. Doncaster were on top and had the ascendancy in the game.

“In the second half it changed slightly and we had a lot more of it and created three excellent chances – probably the best chances in the game.

“Gareth (Evans) got in twice and he’s usually a very good finisher. To be fair their goalkeeper made two excellent saves.

“When Ronan (Curtis) is through one-on-one he’s taken it round him and it’s a deliberate handball outside of the box, so there’s three clear chances.

“We were much better in the second half and had to be, otherwise it would’ve fallen away from us.

“I could’ve made a number of changes at half-time. We needed more energy, more life and more football in midfield. If it’d kept on going like the first half it looked like a matter of time before they got the goal.

“It was just frustrating we couldn’t test Ben Whiteman more; at times we pushed too many people on.”

Rovers bossed the first period and went close from Andy Butler, Whiteman, Alfie May and Mallik Wilks.

“It was probably two points dropped for us, the way we played,” said Doncaster manager Grant McCann.

“I thought we were the much better team.

“We were playing a team who had won four out of four and we were the best team on the pitch by a mile and I think Kenny (Jackett) is an honest man and he’ll say the same thing. We had chances again.

“I don’t want to be asked questions about not scoring in three games because it will just annoy me.

“We’ve got a good group of players there and they’ll score goals. We’re creating the chances. We’re not scoring them at the moment but it’ll come, it’s a long season.

“Aside from the first half at Southend and certain parts of the Burton game I was disappointed with I’ve been really pleased with the level of performance. You can see what we’re trying to do.

“I’m just disappointed we couldn’t get over the line today.”