Portsmouth unearth Marlon Pack successor as Cody Howard finds scoring touch
Portsmouth have struggled for both form and numbers at the back this season, but could have finally found a solution in their academy.
Pompey’s academy side came from behind twice to defeat Bristol Rovers 3-2 on 9 February in the Alliance Youth League, with Otulayo Singerr, Cody Howard and Reggie Buckland finding the net.
The first-team, meanwhile, suffered a 2-1 loss to high-flying Sheffield United despite dominating at Bramall Lane, with their defensive frailties once again highlighted and exposed by the Blades.
With Rob Atkinson and Conor Shaughnessy failing to impress at the back, with skipper and regular central-defensive deputy Marlon Pack on the bench, it’s clear Pompey are in need of reinforcements.
Cody Howard key at both ends in Portsmouth academy victory
The second goalscorer in Pompey academy’s 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers, centre-back Howard, potentially offers John Mousinho an answer to his side’s woes in defence – and maybe even attack too.
Howard turned in a free-kick won by Cody Sizer from close range, providing a clear threat from set-piece situations and highlighted by the club’s website as one of the players who stood out for the young Blues.
Howard certainly had plenty to do, with professional development phase coach Sam Hudson saying post-match: “We were left quite exposed at times and our opponents looked dangerous on the counter.
“Pretty much every metric we measure ourselves on – final third entries, shots, duels, tackles – had Bristol Rovers on top.”
Cody Howard can help solve defensive woes at Portsmouth
Having already shipped 54 goals in their 31 games so far this term – the second-worst defensive record in the Championship behind bottom side Plymouth – it’s clear Mousinho needs assistance at the back.
Deadline Day signing Ibane Bowat is yet to make his league debut for Pompey, with fellow summer arrival Jordan Williams also playing a bit-part role and Bristol City loanee Atkinson still getting up to speed.
Pack, a 33-year-old Championship veteran who made his trade as a midfielder, often having to fill in at centre-back this term shows just how stretched Mousinho’s side have been at times this term.
Bringing in Howard from their academy side would undoubtedly be a risk given he’s yet to make any first-team appearances, but it remains to be seen if Mousinho will roll the dice at the back once again.
Pompey have been edging their way away from the bottom three despite losing eight of their last 13 matches, but with the goals continuing to fly in, Howard may be exactly what they need to stem the flow.