Why wing-backs are on the cards when Portsmouth take on Cheltenham

For the vast majority of his first three seasons, he stayed loyal to a 4-2-3-1 system that yielded him promotion at Wolves and Millwall.

This term, there’s been a switch to a more traditional 4-4-2 way of working, with Pompey’s forwards thriving.

Wing-backs have scarcely been utilised by Jackett – especially in League One.

They were surprisingly utilised at Southend in the Papa John’s Trophy – an unexpected switch which yielded a 3-0 victory.

And in the second round at Cheltenham this evening, we could once see that formation rolled out once more.

The key reason why such tactics were deployed at Roots Hall was to get five fringe defenders the minutes they very much required.

Ahead of the trip to Whaddon Road, the same quintet are in the same situation.

Haji Mnoga lined up in the right-wing-back role of the 3-4-3 formation. His marauding forays rightly earned him man-of-the-match plaudits.

The academy graduate hasn’t played in the Blues’ past four games, however, and been on the bench for just one of those. He looks certain to start against the Robins.

On the opposite flank against Southend was Cam Pring, who was very much at home in the role being a former winger.

The on-loan Bristol City man came off the bench at Blackpool last week, while he also appeared against King’s Lynn in the FA Cup.

However, Lee Brown is first-choice left-back and another game will help Pring maintain fitness levels should he be needed during the busy festive period.

The three central-defenders are likely to be James Bolton, Paul Downing and Rasmus Nicolaisen.

Bolton and Downing are well down the pecking order this season and have consistently been left out of match-day squads in the league.

Nicolaisen has made only eight appearances since arriving on loan from FC Midtjylland.

The Dane’s becoming frustrated by his lack of minutes but is unable to shift the rock-solid duo of Jack Whatmough and Sean Raggett.

While Pompey played 3-4-3 at Southend, a 3-5-2 at League Two Cheltenham could be more likely.

Ben Close and Bryn Morris are poised to start given their limited game time in the league due to the impressive form of Andy Cannon and Tom Naylor.

With Close and Morris being natural holding midfielders, someone more attack-minded in the three-man engine room will be required.

Charlie Bell caught the eye in Pompey’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham under-21s last month.

The second-year scholar is naturally a forward-thinking midfielder, having scored five goals for the academy this season, and is primed to be given his second appearance.

A 3-5-2 formation will also play to what Jackett thinks are Jordy Hiwula’s strengths of a second striker.

Despite the majority of his appearances at Coventry coming on the left before he joined Pompey, he’s seen as a front man.

Hiwula’s had few opportunities since penning a short-term deal in October, but will be determined to break into Pompey’s league plans after his sublime goal when coming off the bench against King’s Lynn.

Marquis will undoubtedly be rested, while Ellis Harrison hasn’t been short of matches himself of late and may not be risked.

Instead, Alfie Stanley needs to start garnering more senior experience and is primed for a second Pompey career after his debut bow against the Hammers.

Since that game, the striker has been confined to training ground action.

He was on loan at Bognor earlier in the season and wasn’t able to return to Nyewood Lane after the West Ham game as all non-elite sport was suspended during the second national lockdown.