Portsmouth assessment made by Mike Dean as John Mousinho job security debated
Portsmouth have failed to live up to the expectations of Mike Dean so far this season, as the ex-Premier League referee discusses the step up.
Dean, speaking to Express FM’s Paul Marsh [19 November] has admitted he anticipated 23rd-placed Pompey to perform a lot better than the level that has been the case.
He also noted that the patience of owners and chairmen can vary, implying John Mousinho’s job security could be increasingly at stake.
“I thought they’d start really well this year and push on from last season’s promotion, but it hasn’t kicked into place,” Dean said.
“[How they get on] also depends on how patient chairmen are at clubs, you’ve only got to look at with Coventry City, haven’t you.
“Maybe the step up from League One to the Championship has just been too much for them.”
Portsmouth have endured mixed success in past few games
The fortunes of Portsmouth in the first week of November throughout a three-game period illustrated the reactive nature we are all guilty of in football.
The first half of the draw at Hull City [2 November] was shambolic; the second half which witnessed the Josh Murphy equaliser saw a different Pompey side entirely, and Mousinho’s men should have emerged victorious.
Three days later at Plymouth Argyle, it appeared the Blues were gathering momentum and dominated Wayne Rooney’s side for large spells, only for a ridiculous defensive lapse to allow former Southampton man Michael Obafemi to drill home the winner for the hosts late on.
Against Preston, a solid first half had Blues fans excited, which had begun to build when it was noticed Colby Bishop was back in the matchday squad.
His late cameo featured the penalty to rubber-stamp the first Fratton win of the campaign, undoubtedly the highlight of a struggling few months. Now is about building, cutting out needless errors, and improving consistency.
In other Portsmouth news, Mousinho vows to find a new club for one Pompey star.
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