When the cut-off point looks to be for Portsmouth's backing of Kenny Jackett

Yet, with each passing defeat the greater the challenge becomes for that staunch backing to stay in place.

On Sunday, The News revealed the position of the club’s owners is to stand by the 59-year-old in the face of a defeat justifiably ranked as a modern low.

The sentiment then was Jackett is their man and is in place for the season.

But, even though there’s doubts over their ambition among the conspiracy theorists, the target of achieving a play-off spot is the minimum aim for the Tornante Company.

And the further that slips from Pompey’s grasp, the less likely the chance of their manager reaching the end of his contract becomes.

There was no surprise what happened 72 hours or so on from the Sixfields debacle.

Sunderland have the right kind of impetus at the right kind of moment, while their opponents are crippled by their own doubts and apparent indifference to what’s unfolding just when it matters most.