No point in Pompey 'playing at' development squad idea
Wednesday, 31st Oct 2018 20:45 by pompey-fans.com staff

Pompey boss Kenny Jackett says the club don't need a development squad. Even if the Blues go up to the Championship, the manager says he is happy to continue with Pompey's youth policy and the system of sending players out on loan for them to get experience.

It's a big issue for many clubs but Jackett has clear thoughts. He told The News: ‘I think that we can cope and do it another way. One thing is an under-23s group but another one is to sign young pros and be able to put them out on loan.

‘The higher the club can go then the more scope there is below you to put them out on loan — that’s a good thing. It is what it is. I don’t think there’s a right way or a wrong way.

‘You can be successful and produce players with an academy and with an under-23s group. But I also think as a club you need to be geared at it and geared at it properly. There’s no point playing at it. If you’re big enough to go and do it properly then that’s fine.

‘There’s no point doing it for the sake of it or making sure you’re doing it just to tick a box. It’s got to be a real commitment from the club, manager and the coaching staff for that route to work and be successful.

‘I don’t think there's a right way or a wrong way. It’s about picking the system and doing it well. Each individual can be different at different clubs. It can be right for one club but not necessarily another.

‘People talk about the Brentford model. They’ve been really strong but don’t run a youth policy. Brentford and Brentford B have been very strong and they've been very shrewd.

‘I don’t think that’s right for Portsmouth. The youth policy is important at Portsmouth for myself and Mark Catlin. ‘But our own version is adapted to the club.’