John Mousinho expects ‘different’ challenge in Portsmouth match v Derby County
Portsmouth will face a “different” challenge from Paul Warne’s Derby County at Pride Park on Friday, according to John Mousinho.
Paul Warne’s side host Pompey in the Friday night fixture [13 December] between the two sides who earned automatic promotion from League One last season.
The Blues have kept back-to-back clean sheets and taken four points from their last two games against Bristol City and Norwich City, with Derby four points ahead having played two more matches.
“I’ve watched Derby a few times at Pride Park. They’re a different side at home, really aggressive,” Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent’s Andy Moon.
“They play in a distinct way, and do things a certain way.
“You know exactly what you’re going to get when you face a Paul Warne side.”
Portsmouth appear to have turned a new leaf
Without expecting too much too soon, Portsmouth now look to have made a vast improvement on several weeks back.
Mousinho’s men are appearing to adapt better to Championship football and have now lost just one of their last six, unbeaten in four.
Individual performances from players initially doubted are also progressing, with Josh Murphy and Matt Ritchie becoming the key experienced members of the squad that was initially intended.
Surprise packages like Freddie Potts in midfield and Terry Devlin at right-back are adding to a promising formula, for a Portsmouth side now just five points from 14th place (ahead of Wednesday’s fixtures) with games in hand on several rivals.
After the trip to Pride Park, the Blues return to Fratton Park to take on Frank Lampard’s Coventry City [21 December], and close the calendar year against Watford [26 December] and the return fixture at Bristol City [29 December].
In other Portsmouth news, David Norris discusses the failed pursuit of Abu Kamara.
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