For the current season, Portsmouth haven't had the start that they would have liked having gained 13 points from 10 games so far to leave them 16th in the table following a 0-0 draw with Gillingham on the weekend.

Last season was quite the contrast for Kenny Jackett's side, having finished fourth in the league only to be knocked out of the play-offs by Sunderland 1-0 on aggregate after the Mackems scored in the first leg.

Jackett will be urging his players on to go even further this time around, however the start has been underwhelming and Portsmouth have a lot of work ahead of them if they are to improve the current campaign.

Here, we take a look at THREE lessons Portsmouth can take from last season to improve this one...

Spread the goals around more

Last season, Portsmouth had 13 players net goals in the league, with former striker Jamal Lowe, who now plays in the Championship for Wigan Athletic, having finished as their top scorer in the league with 12 goals.

This time around, Pompey have only managed to have eight goal scorers on the league scoresheet and will be hoping for more, however the top scorers so far are Brett Pitman, Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and Gareth Evans with two goals apiece.

Give Oliver Hawkins a chance

Hawkins adapted well to League One football last season, scoring six goals in 32 league appearances, as he played a vital role for Pompey in their route to the play-offs.

However, this time around, Jackett has failed to give Hawkins much of a chance, with the Pompey No.9 only making one league appearance out of ten and that appearances being at centre-back amid an injury crisis.

Hawkins will be hoping that Jackett chooses to use him at some point this season, and he'll be determined to show Jackett why he should have faith in him to do a job if John Marquis continues to misfire.

To use Ben Close regularly 

Portsmouth academy graduate and local lad Ben Close performed well for Portsmouth last campaign during his 26 league outings, scoring five goals as his progression started to come along well in midfield.

Close wears his heart on his sleeve when it comes to Portsmouth, and he has already had an effect for Pompey so far this season, his midfield performances shining through as Jackett's men look to build up some form so that they can move on up the table.

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