Ian Darke reacts to Marlon Pack moans after ‘dodgy’ Portsmouth moment
Portsmouth fans have been divided in their views on how Marlon Pack has fared as a defender at Fratton Park this season.
The skipper has largely filled into a central defensive role in a Portsmouth shirt in the Championship this season with John Mousinho often at a loss through injuries.
Pack has had highs and lows in the position, and for a player who turns 34 on Tuesday (25 March), previously admitted it is a steep learning curve.
Pack ‘like a quarter-back’ for Mousinho
Mousinho has made the hierarchy abundantly clear – at least as clear as it can be with a constant conveyor belt of injuries inflicted all season upon his Portsmouth selections, often in defence.
Enter central defender Pack, who has enjoyed some excellent performances in the backline such as against Leeds United at Fratton Park (9 March), but has also struggled against lively attackers – often in away games this season – with Pompey’s backs to the wall.
TV commentator and Blues fan Ian Darke, speaking exclusively to Pompey News, has defended Pack, comparing his qualities to those of a “quarter-back” in American football.
Darke also remains unconvinced that free agent acquisition Alexander Milosevic will be able to slot straight in when fit and perform to a higher standard than Pack – despite being a natural, experienced centre-half.
“We can moan about Marlon Pack at centre-half, but one thing you get from playing Pack there is he uses the ball very well out of defence,” Darke claimed.
“Alright, there was the mistake against Plymouth with his dodgy ball, but he was kind of dictating things back there almost like a quarter-back.
“Most of the points Pompey have got this season are likely to have all come from Pack at centre-back. He comes with limitations, of course, but is the new signing Milosevic going to suddenly dovetail in and do a good job? The last thing they need is yet another defensive pairing.”
Portsmouth hoping for players back
Portsmouth and Mousinho will be keeping fingers crossed for the returns of several players before the end of the season.
While some remain out such as Hayden Matthews and Callum Lang, the Blues are hoping the likes of Jordan Williams, Conor Shaughnessy and Rob Atkinson can soon rejoin the action.
Question marks loom over Kusini Yengi – the frustrated Portsmouth striker has reportedly picked up yet another injury while away on international duty with Australia.
| Marlon Pack positions | Starts | Points | Points per start |
| Centre-back | 18 | 23 | 1.28 |
| Centre-midfield | 11 | 8 | 0.73 |
Darke added: “We’re hoping Williams can be fit at least for the bench for the Blackburn game.
“I’d also place more hope on Shaughnessy or Atkinson coming back in for maybe four or five of the last games, as opposed to Milosevic getting up to speed and dovetailing in so quickly.”