John Mousinho’s Portsmouth plan ‘backfires’ – Ian Darke
Portsmouth need further creative options to be able to breach resolute Championship defences, according to Ian Darke.
The TV commentator and Blues fan admitted Pompey were blunt in the 1-0 home loss to Millwall (28 January) and require another attacking option to create chances against defensive lines who shut up shop – something which could be boosted by the arrival of Adil Aouchiche on Friday (31 January).
Darke also admitted Mousinho’s rotation plan designed to rest his key players “backfired” when he made five changes at West Brom (25 January), only to go down 5-1 at The Hawthorns.
“What was shown against Millwall was that Portsmouth need a creator who can unlock low-block defences, a number 10 in there to be able to do that,” the broadcaster exclusively told Pompey News.
“All the recent visitors to Fratton Park played out from the back, Millwall didn’t do that.
“And as for West Brom, I think we all knew what was going to happen when the line-up was announced by John Mousinho. It was a perfectly acceptable ploy, but it backfired.”
Portsmouth meet best Championship defence on Saturday
Darke’s point becomes particularly pertinent on Saturday when Burnley arrive at Fratton Park for the next Championship contest (1 February).
The Clarets, under the stewardship of Scott Parker, have amazingly conceded just nine league goals in 29 games, sitting third in the table and gunning for an immediate Premier League return.
Pompey did score one of those nine in the reverse fixture back on 21 September, in which Callum Lang put the Blues ahead at the break but stoppage-time heartache ensued in the second half to lose 2-1 at Turf Moor.
In other Portsmouth news, the next state of play in the transfer window after two left and two arrived.
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