Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett has challenged Andy Cannon to add goals to his game, as reported by the Portsmouth News.

The 23-year-old joined Pompey from Rochdale in January but struggled to impose himself on their side as they stumbled out of the top two and eventually out of the play-off semi-final.

This season he's seen more first team football, but manager Kenny Jackett has urged him to add value to his game by bringing goals as well as endeavour to the midfield.

"I think Andy needs goals and assists, somewhere along the line it is important and he is capable of doing that and supporting those front-three players," said the former Wolves boss.

"In the last couple of games we have played him as an out-and-out 10, rather than one holding and two attacking midfielders, and generally my system is 4-3-3 point up or point down.

"When we play point up he could easily play in the two, he is good enough and easily competitive enough."

However, in order to be effective in those roles, Jackett insists he needs to start chipping in with goals and assists.

"Andy does score in training, he is capable of it. He has a low centre of gravity, he can shift the ball one side or another and hit it. I have been pleased with him. Can he add goals and assists? That’s his next challenge and it’s something he does in training all the time."

Cannon played 128 times for Rochdale after emerging from their youth team setup, but only bagged four league goals during his time at Spotland.

He moved for a fee thought to be worth £150,000 last season, but found himself on the outside looking in as they failed to deliver promotion.

The Verdict

I'm not sure Andy Cannon is the player Kenny Jackett wants him to be. Jackett clearly sees an attacking midfielder, someone able to get forward and add value to the attack.

During his time at Rochdale, he was the pass before the assists, the player working tirelessly from deep looking to keep the side together. Changing his role after the move is a dangerous game, especially when Pompey play with two holding midfielders at times.

I can see him fitting in to the side, but perhaps it'll take an injury and a chance to sit deeper and stay there that will convince Kenny Jackett where his best role really is.