Blackpool head coach sends a message to his opposite number at Portsmouth

Blackpool boss Neil Critchley has sent his best wishes to his Portsmouth counterpart Kenny Jackett ahead of tomorrow’s clash at Fratton Park.
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Jackett will be missing from the dugout on Saturday having temporarily stepped down as Pompey boss for health reasons.

The 59-year-old, who missed the club’s 3-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night, is to undergo surgery to remove a mole from his forearm.

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Nevertheless, Jackett is still expected to remain in contact with his players, albeit not in person.

Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett has had to temporarily step down from his role Picture: Stephen Buckley/PRiME Media Images LimitedPortsmouth boss Kenny Jackett has had to temporarily step down from his role Picture: Stephen Buckley/PRiME Media Images Limited
Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett has had to temporarily step down from his role Picture: Stephen Buckley/PRiME Media Images Limited

“You look at Shrewsbury boss Steve Cotterill, it’s been well publicised he was interacting with his players from the hospital. Now we’ve got a similar situation with Kenny,” Critchley said.

“Obviously you don’t wish their situations on anyone and you hope they both recover well, are healthy and can return to the jobs they love doing.

“That’s the message from me and the club to Kenny, that we hope he’s well and we wish him all the best.

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“He’s a proper football person and a proper football man and he’s just a really humble, down-to-earth, solid football guy and I know he’ll be missing it terribly, because you live and breathe it.”

Despite their midweek setback, Pompey – who will be led by assistant manager Joe Gallen – remain well in the hunt.

The south coast outfit, who Pool beat 1-0 at Bloomfield Road earlier in the season, sit fourth in the league table, four points adrift of the top two.

“You’ve only got to look at their team and their manager,” Critchley added.

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“They narrowly lost out in the play-offs last season but they’re right up there again this season.

“They lost in midweek, so who knows if it’s a good time to play them or not?

“You always say a wounded animal will be desperate to bounce back, but maybe that’s knocked their confidence a little bit – but who knows?

“We beat them earlier in the season at home, so we know we’re capable of doing it.

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“I’m sure they’ll have that result firmly in their memory as well, so it’s going to be a tough game.”

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