Andy Cannon holds the key to Pompey’s play-off glory.

And the midfielder must start against Oxford United tonight in the semi-final first leg - even if it means leaving top scorer John Marquis on the bench.

That’s the view of Blues writer, Jordan Cross, in the play-off preview edition of Pompey Talk which you can listen to HERE, as football returns to Fratton Park after nearly four months.

There’s some big calls for Kenny Jackett to make particularly in attacking areas - and Cross believes Cannon’s role is central to hopes of success.

He said: ‘I will be disappointed if Andy Cannon doesn’t start. I will be frustrated if he doesn’t start.

‘I think he’s the most natural player in the 10 position and I think he gives the team a better balance when he plays there.

‘Sometimes I feel Kenny believes he needs to get John Marquis into the team somewhere. Maybe that’s not the case on this occasion.

‘It’s a tough call for Jackett to make but I would go with Cannon there and Harrison up front - and leave our top goalscorer on the bench.

‘Cannon will be important and I like Pompey more with Cannon in the team within the confines of a 4-2-3-1 formation.

‘Yes, it would be harsh on John and he wouldn’t be happy but there’s tough calls to be made - and that would be the way I go.’

There’s difficult decisions for Jackett to make all over the pitch with plenty of depth to his squad going into the two games.

Cross can see a cagey unfair unfolding as football returns following its suspension with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

But he feels Pompey do have the attacking quality to create chances across the two legs.

He added: ‘They say history is the best indicator of future behaviour and that points to a safety first approach from Kenny Jackett - and I don’t blame him for that. I think I would be the same in the first leg.

‘So I think he will want his house in order and be difficult to break down.

‘Then he will want to have faith in his attacking players that they have enough to create going forward across a minimum 180 minutes.

‘You can have your opinions on Kenny Jackett, but I wouldn’t criticise that mindset, although it becomes a different story if Pompey are chasing the game at the Kassam Stadium.

‘I think Ryan Wlliams could start instead of Marcus Harness and it could be James Bolton instead of Ross McCrorie.

‘McCrorie probably does more going forward and James is maybe a bit sturdier as a defender.

So there’s decisions like that to be made.

‘I don’t think it’s going to be a negative outlook from Kenny Jackett, not for a second, I just think it could be a prudent approach from him, shall we say.

‘Pompey have enough in their locker to open teams up and create decent opportunities - more than we did across two legs against Sunderland anyway.’

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