Kenny Jackett's promotion verdict as Portsmouth aim to click back into gear

But the Blues boss accepts recent results haven't been good enough to yield a place in the Championship.

Pompey's latest bid to reach the second tier has recently faltered. Having been top over the festive period, they've dropped to fifth in the table.

A 2-1 loss at Doncaster on Tuesday meant the Blues have collected only four points from their past five games.

As a result, Jackett has again coming under fire from sections of supporters.

However, with 15 fixtures remaining, the Pompey manager believes his side aren't far away from clicking back into gear ahead of today's trip to lowly Northampton

Jackett said: ‘We have got four points from the past five games and will have to up that in the next five games if we want to get one of those three Championship places.

‘We are still in a position to do that. We have to accept our performances haven't been enough in those games.

‘Even in the games where we haven't necessarily done it, it has been close. Doncaster was a good example where we got a goal back then had a chance after that where Reece James made tackle almost on the line to block our forwards queuing up to put it in the net.

‘We do think we are close and Doncaster proved that but our performances have to be better and can be better.

‘We have done it in different stages of the season and can do it again. There are enough points to play for. There are still 45 points to play for and we will need a good percentage of those if we want to go up.

‘Again, we have done it at different stages of the season and have to make sure I find the right combinations of players, the right mix.

‘For the players, they need to stick together, show good team spirit and persevere as they hit top form.’

Pompey sit seven points behind second-placed Hull in the race for automatic promotion.

Jackett still believes a top-two berth is up for grabs – but the Blues have little margin for error.

He added: ‘Sometimes you have frustrating spells. They have been for me and for the players in terms of results.

‘Similarly, we all think we are not far away and are honest enough to say we need to improve.

‘If we find the right combination, we can go on the type of run we need, we are still close enough to do that.

‘Out of the 45 points available, we will need a high amount. The sides that go up do generally finish well so will be able to do it from here on in.’