Dave Edwards sees similarities between Paul Hurst and Kenny Jackett ahead of Portsmouth clash

Hurst and Jackett do battle tomorrow as Portsmouth head to Montgomery Waters Meadow, writes Lewis Cox.

Reading man Edwards, who starred under Jackett in his three-year spell with Wolves, revealed that the Pompey chief demands the hard yards first and foremost.

Jackett, 55, is no stranger to League One success as, with Edwards in midfield, Wolves stormed to the title in 2014 with 103 points, securing a new third tier record points haul.

After moving to Fratton Park in the summer, Jackett and Pompey have clicked into gear and tomorrow’s visitors have won seven of their last eight outings in all competitions.

“Hard work,” replied Edwards, 31, when asked what the secret to his old boss’s success is. “A lot of managers have the same belief, that if you work harder than the other team then you’ll have the better chance.

“That’s definitely Kenny’s philosophy. With Wolves at that time we felt we had better players than most other teams in the league so if we matched their hard work then we’d win the game. He’s done a good job down there so far.

“He’s great at this level and I’m sure he’ll get them firing over the next few years.

“It’ll be a tough game for Town but I fully expect Town can continue their decent form and get another win.”

Asked about the prospect of popping to Sundorne Castle training ground to provide some extra tips, he smiled: “I’m sure all the analysis guys Town have got are pretty clued up about Kenny’s team already!”

Shrewsbury fan Edwards, who was at the Meadow signing copies of his new book Living my Dream, has been – like all Town supporters – enjoying a season that has their side riding high in the automatic promotion spots.

Edwards added similar appraisal for Hurst to that of his former boss.

The Pontesbury man believes that Hurst’s achievement will not be going unnoticed in the game, but is hoping the ex-Grimsby man sticks around to see out the job he has started.

He added: “It’s miraculous the job he’s done here and hopefully he can continue doing it for a long time. I’ve seen what Paul Hurst has done and the work they put in behind the scenes, at the training ground, everything like that.

“I’m sure there’ll be lots of other clubs interested in his services but hopefully Town can keep hold of him.

“You can see that the main thing is the lads are working so hard for each other. That’s what I’ve seen and heard, they’re fighting for every last ball.

“That shows with the late goals. He’s got them working hard but also they’re playing winning football.”

Hurst’s side returned to winning ways in the league last weekend against Blackpool courtesy of Jon Nolan’s winner.

The boss has been boosted as he hunts for back-to-back league victories with no fresh fitness concerns.

Only long-term absentees Junior Brown (knee) and Zak Jules (hamstring) are unavailable through injury.

Midfielders Kal Naismith (knee) and Stuart O’Keefe (thigh) will both be missing through injury for the visitors.