Mousinho puts Aouchiche under added pressure as Portsmouth XI v Plymouth named
John Mousinho has named his starting XI for Portsmouth as they take on Plymouth Argyle in the Championship.
Several of Mousinho’s players enjoyed their best game in a Portsmouth shirt as they overcame Leeds United at Fratton Park last Sunday (9 March), now looking for an eighth win in 10 on home turf against Argyle.
Following the publishing of the Pompey starting XI to take on the relegation fighters in the neutrally-dubbed ‘Dockyard derby’, one player could be feeling the pressure.
Adil Aouchiche gets chance after what happened v Leeds
Portsmouth were absolutely immense against Leeds United, and that’s without any bias. They worked for every ball, the fans played their part, and the promotion favourites came up short.
Each player to a man was terrific and knew the magnitude of the task, but Aouchiche was robbed of that after 54 minutes when an injury forced him from the action.
Having been the first-choice number 10 since Callum Lang was ruled out, Aouchiche has looked encouraging for Pompey and is eager in the press, wanting to work hard for the Blues.
However, he struggled to get too involved against Leeds and later had to come off, sporting an ice pack on the ankle area early in the second half. Terry Devlin replaced him for Portsmouth as he ticked off yet another position, an all-action number 10, and did very well.
With all his starting teammates looking to continue their momentum individually for the collective good, Aouchiche is starting from scratch and will need to play with the confidence and exuberance that has defined the best form of his fledgling career – whether that be at Pompey, Sunderland or back in France.
Portsmouth teammates can help Aouchiche v Plymouth
Portsmouth pride themselves on unity on the pitch, in the stands and around the club as a whole, and Aouchiche will be supported by his teammates if he makes an error.
That goes for any player, but the confidence among the Frenchman’s teammates right now is sky-high.
Devlin can perhaps feel a little hard done by that he has not earned himself a start, but the games are coming thick and fast in any case and the contest with Preston this weekend could provide another opportunity.
| Adil Aouchiche – Portsmouth | Apps | Starts | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
| 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 273 |
Northern Irishman Devlin is currently buzzing with how his career is developing, after his maiden senior call-up for his national side when they compete in two European friendlies later this month.
Pompey were beaten last time out against Plymouth despite dominating the reverse fixture at Home Park, but now this is home to Fratton Park. For the showdown of the two seaside clubs, a different kettle of fish altogether.