John Mousinho says Portsmouth may have no hope after FA Cup exit
John Mousinho has said his Portsmouth players have “no hope” if they do not recognise their performance at Wycombe Wanderers was sub-standard.
The Blues were eliminated from the FA Cup at the third round hurdle on Friday (10 January) by League One promotion hopefuls Wycombe, crashing to a 2-0 defeat.
Pompey now have a quick turnaround before facing Blackburn Rovers this Wednesday (15 January) in a rearranged Championship fixture from November.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent’s Andy Moon, Mousinho said: “The fact we’re out of the FA Cup is one thing, I can live with that – but it’s the nature of the performance.
“After we went a goal down, I just thought we went under. The way we conceded the second goal was really concerning.
“There were chances tonight for players to maybe make their mark and make selection difficult, and I was quite looking forward to it, to be honest. But we never capitalised on how well we started.
“If players don’t know that’s way below the standard to compete at any level, there’s no hope.”
Portsmouth fringe players fail to knock on first XI door
Following an encouraging start at Adams Park, Pompey went into their shells after conceding the first goal as Wycombe grew in belief.
While the domestic cups are openly not Mousinho or the Blues’ priority, it represented a chance for a few players who have warmed the bench of late to stake their claim.
It seems safe to say Mousinho will revert to his usual league starters at Blackburn in midweek, as the survival battle resumes at Ewood Park.
Where hope has rekindled is the transfer market, with Rich Hughes leading the charge on already securing two loan deals – Rob Atkinson and now Isaac Hayden have been confirmed until the end of the season.
There will surely be further deals in and out before 3 February as Pompey look to establish themselves as a second-tier outfit once again.
In other Portsmouth news, selling one attacker has benefitted the club moving forward in January.
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