Tony Pulis has praised the Portsmouth board for backing Kenny Jackett and giving him the opportunity to turn things around at the football club.

Pompey broke a record with the victory over Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, as it was the first time that the club had won nine successive games since entering the Football League in 1920.

They have improved drastically since their early-season struggles and are now sitting fifth in the League One table, just three points behind the automatic promotion places.

Portsmouth travel to Coventry City on Tuesday night, in a crucial fixture with the Sky Blues just one place above them and one point above them in the table.

Pulis has insisted that Jackett is a very good manager and that it is good to see the board now giving him the backing that was needed at the time.

Speaking on EFL on Quest, Pulis said: "Kenny's a smashing fella, they've got a really good manager there.

"It's really, really good to see that they've turned it around and the board gave him the backing that he needed."

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The Verdict

Portsmouth have turned things around very successfully this season and will be delighted with the work that Jackett has done throughout the campaign.

It was a big decision to stick with him, especially when a number of supporters were beginning to turn on the manager. He stayed, and has since proved them wrong with performances and results.

They have now won nine in a row, and have two games in hand on second place, so could well challenge for the automatic promotion spots come May.

Pompey now travel to Coventry on Tuesday night, knowing a win could be huge in terms of belief heading into a decisive few months.