Jackett: Extra protection needed by defence

The Blues boss believes his back line needed their team’s attacking options to lighten the load on them after falling to a late 2-1 defeat at the Memorial Stadium.

Two goals in the final six minutes turned what looked like a victory into a loss as Liam Sercombe’s last-minute winner floored Pompey.

The visitors had defended admirably up to that point to repel Rovers, after taking the lead through Oli Hawkins’ 64th-minute header.

Jackett refused to be too critical of his defensive players and felt his side failed to alleviate the pressure they were under by attacking.

He said: ‘We always look at the goals and where we need to improve.

‘But it has to be put in context and the big picture looked at.

‘The big picture is we’re hard-working, diligent and we want to be good defensively. That has to be the basis of what we do.

‘We have to be able to break at pace and be sure we’re a threat going the other way, too, though.

‘That helps your defenders as well.’

Jackett could see the Blues losing their way in the game as the Gas came on strong over the game’s finale.

He kept two players up front to try to combat the territorial pressure of Darrell Clarke’s side.

The introduction of Ellis Harrison and Liam Sercombe in the 74th minute proved a major factor in the game’s outcome, however.