Ian Darke names simple formation change John Mousinho can make at Portsmouth
John Mousinho must consider moulding his midfield to a three-man unit in tough away fixtures for Portsmouth, according to Ian Darke.
The TV commentator and Blues fan has suggested Pompey have looked overrun in certain games on the road, pinpointing the 4-0 loss at Derby County last time out [13 December].
Mousinho has operated with a 4-2-3-1 shape in every Championship match so far this season with the side stuck in the bottom three, often with Freddie Potts and Andre Dozzell as a central pairing.
“I’ve spoken about how Pompey need a couple of oven-ready Championship players and one of those definitely needs to be a midfield player,” Darke exclusively told Pompey News, having shared via X [15 December] his feelings on the team shape.
“It’s asking a lot of Dozzell and Potts away from home in there, and they’ve looked a player light in the middle of the pitch in some games on the road this season including at Derby last week. I just wonder if Mousinho has to think as well about sacrificing one of the front four for another man in midfield, in those tough away games.
“The best coaches and the best teams do have that ability to just tweak things depending on the opposition and the assignment, even within the game. You’d hope the squad can be adaptable – I know Mousinho seems pretty married to his 4-2-3-1 shape and he’ll have mulled it over – but from the outside, all we can give is an amateur diagnosis.”
Portsmouth expected to be active in January
Portsmouth underwent a major squad overhaul following promotion in the summer and are anticipated to continue business into January where they can.
In a notoriously difficult window to carry out major deals, fans have become frustrated with a perceived lack of investment into the squad with the threat of instant relegation looming.
Beyond Potts, Dozzell and skipper Marlon Pack – who has recently been deployed in defence – fellow Blues midfielders registered in the squad include Owen Moxon and Abdoulaye Kamara, the latter signed for an undisclosed fee from Borussia Dortmund.
In other Portsmouth news, Conor Shaughnessy is “desperately” needed at the back following the latest on his injury absence.
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