Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett says his side will not underestimate Matt Taylor's Exeter City ahead of their Leasing.com Trophy Semi-Final clash at Fratton Park.
Jackett - who picked up a winner’s medal last season - is hoping to make the Final once again, but has heaped praise upon their Sky Bet League Two opponents.
“We are the holders of the competition, it was a fantastic day at Wembley and we are pleased to have won it. A Wembley appearance is a Wembley appearance and every player that plays tomorrow, on either side, will be doing everything they can to get through,” he said.
“We will be making sure we do everything we can to win, myself and the club have to make sure that we do not underestimate Exeter at all because they are having a brilliant season. You have to look at their points total; 33 games and 63 points, they have real aspirations of making Sky Bet League One.”
Portsmouth saw off Sunderland AFC in a dramatic penalty shoot-out win in last season’s Final at the National Stadium, and the 58-year-old is hopeful that his men can lead him to Wembley again.
“We have always played a very strong team in this competition and that has been reflective of the results so far, and we are only one step away from Wembley again,” he added.
“We want to try to get through if we can. We are so close, we have a home game, but our opposition are having a fine season themselves. We will need the energy from the people that are coming into the team.”