Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett has been explaining to supporters why he believes striker Ellis Harrison could thrive at Fratton Park this season, as reported by the Portsmouth News.

Harrison has arrived from Ipswich Town where, after joining from Bristol Rovers for £750,000, he struggled for form and goals. He was deemed surplus to requirements following their relegation to League One, replaced by James Norwood.

Harrison got one goal in 16 matches for the Tractor Boys last season, form that didn't make him a particularly attractive prospect for many this summer.

However, Jackett has explained how when scouting players, he's having to look for quality footballers who have struggled of late, rather than going for expensive 'red hot' players such as Norwood.

"You can look at signings – and what they have done previously – and if you analyse it too much you wouldn’t take anyone," he told the Portsmouth News.

"Also the ones that are, let’s say, red hot at the moment do generally cost a lot of money. Scouting is different, you have to find somebody that, for whatever reason, it hasn’t quite worked out for them.

"Whatever those reasons are, you take the player, give a fresh opportunity, maybe some clear direction and also a new start, which is something players need from time to time."

The former Wolves boss believes Harrison, who bagged 20 goals in 81 League One matches for Bristol Rovers, has the potential to thrive in a more welcoming Fratton Park tactical set-up.

"Ellis brings pace, mobility and a really good work-rate, which complements what we have up front.

"At times I’ve felt we don’t quite have enough pace up there. He’s a different type of player and we need a more fluent, pacy, attacking front three."

The Verdict

The easy way to success is to buy it. Find a player on top form, throw huge sums of money at him and go from there. It's essentially what Ipswich have done with Norwood, albeit not having to pay a transfer fee. Bear in mind, he might have scored a lot last season but he's never played in League One.

Portsmouth want to do things differently and to a degree, they always have. They've either gambled on lower league talent who don't cost a huge amount in League One terms, such as Jamal Lowe or looked elsewhere for players with growth potential, such as Ronan Curtis.

Fans will always clamour for a big name, someone who is 'proven', but proven one year is not the case the next. Harrison has done well in League One before and although he struggled at Ipswich, he could be a good investment.

The truly successful managers are able to spot a player with talent on a downward trajectory and turn him around. Jackett will hope he can do just that with Harrison.