Bolton Wanderers manager Keith Hill has given his verdict on his Portsmouth counterpart Kenny Jackett ahead of their weekend clash at Fratton Park.

Jackett has been under growing pressure on the south coast after winning just one match in League One so far, leading to the a slump towards the foot of the table, but Hill believes that some of the criticism is unwarranted

“Kenny at Portsmouth at this time definitely has a successful identity," Hill said, reported by the Bolton News.

"He has been a very successful manager in League One and we’re still so early in the season.

“I would express concern at the criticism that Kenny and other managers are getting in football these days because it lacks vision. In any walk of life you need a bit of stability to create a position of strength.”

Pompey currently sit in 20th after seven matches, just two points above the third-tier drop zone, with the clash with Wanderers looking like a must win for Jackett, even though they have as many as three matches in hand on some of their League One opponents.

A heavy defeat to arch-rivals Southampton in the third round of the League Cup on Tuesday night did little to help his case either.

Bolton, on the other hand, appear to be on the rise with a plucky point against Sunderland last weekend taking their total to -9.

The verdict

I agree with Hill to an extent, that managers are being judged too harshly too frequently.

But in this instance, I think the pressure on Jackett is largely justified. A big part of the problem for Pompey fans is the style with which they play and the lack of versatility the manager shows in his approach.

Bolton really is a must win and anything less will see him sacked I believe.