Mousinho to axe Pack in five changes – Portsmouth predicted XI v Millwall
John Mousinho is likely to revert largely to type with his team selection when Portsmouth return home against Millwall this week.
The Blues boss made five changes and saw his side concede as many goals away at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (25 January), and three days later comes another game back on home turf against Millwall.
The contest is the only midweek Championship fixture of the week, due to its rearrangement after significant power failure back in November.
Pompey’s home and away form have been a complete contrast, and with Mousinho openly admitting to resting many of his big hitters at The Hawthorns, he is now expected to field a full-strength XI against Alex Neil’s Lions in what resembles a crucial game in hand.
Marlon Pack to be dropped from Portsmouth defence?
Maybe dropped would not be the case so much as rested – even if Portsmouth were four down by half-time at West Brom on Saturday – but now is the time to take Marlon Pack back out of the firing line.
The 33-year-old skipper has been an excellent leader but his performances in the backline away from home have been poor. At home, however, he looks fairly comfortable alongside Rob Atkinson but it could be time to try Atkinson alongside Ryley Towler in central defence.
Nicolas Schmid had a dreadful game in goal at The Hawthorns but has been encouraging on the whole since his arrival from Austria. He will retain his place between the sticks to make amends, while Connor Ogilvie starts again at left-back, and Jordan Williams comes back in at right-back after his superb display against Stoke City (22 January).
Isaac Hayden and Freddie Potts are the strongest midfield duo Pompey have. Mousinho is very rigid with his 4-2-3-1 and will likely return Potts to the line-up, with Hayden now considered match fit. Should he be unable to last 90 minutes, either Pack, Andre Dozzell or Owen Moxon wait in the wings.
The first-choice quartet ahead of them should all be in from the start. If Pompey are going to seemingly rely on their home form to beat the drop this season, then it has to be full force against Millwall, who will make things difficult.
Colby Bishop should continue as the spearhead of the attack, while Matt Ritchie also keeps his place on the right – he is terrific at Fratton Park. Callum Lang is a no-brainer to come back in, and Josh Murphy will also be in contention for a recall on the left.
The likes of Tom McIntyre, Christian Saydee and teenage arrival Thomas Waddingham – who scored a debut goal to wrap a silver lining around the gloom of West Brom – will be further options from the bench.
In other Portsmouth news, Mousinho offers the state of play on transfers which will now develop further following the return home from Saturday’s game.
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