John Mousinho ‘to save blushes’ with Hayden call in Portsmouth v Blackburn
John Mousinho will need Portsmouth to be perfect as they face Blackburn Rovers in the Championship on Saturday.
Fratton Park will host Valerien Ismael’s team on 29 March, as both teams will hope to get the three points for different reasons.
The Rovers are in contention to win a place in the play-offs but find themselves five points off the top six as things stand.
Pompey are in a Championship relegation battle, with a four-point lead over 22nd-place Derby County, and a win against Blackburn will help them take one step closer to survival.
Portsmouth will need to change things for Blackburn fixture
Mousinho’s team are coming off back-to-back losses to Plymouth Argyle and Preston before the international break started.
The English manager was handed a much-needed reprieve from the domestic competition and will have undoubtedly come up with a plan to get back to winning ways.
With the Hampshire outfit without Callum Lang, they will need someone else to shoulder the burden up front until the end of the season.
Fratton Park has also dealt with several fitness issues in their backline this season, leaving them with limited options at the back, but it’s the midfield that needs addressing after recent results.
Isaac Hayden must start for Mousinho at Fratton Park
Pompey have a tough fixture against Blackburn, and even a point against them could go a long way for Mousinho’s team.
The English manager has relied on the partnership of Freddie Potts and Andre Dozzell in recent matches, but it hasn’t paid off.
Isaac Hayden enjoyed his time with Jamaica during the international break and has returned to the Hampshire outfit in high spirits.
Portsmouth won five of their previous six fixtures before losing to Plymouth, and the Newcastle United loanee was a part of those victories.
| Competition | Appearances | Points per match |
| Championship | 11 | 1.73 |
Hayden was an unused substitute against Miron Muslic’s team and Preston, highlighting his significance in the team.
While Potts has been brilliant for Pompey this season, the West Ham United loanee may need someone like the Jamaican national to partner him in the engine room against Blackburn.
The 30-year-old defensive midfielder will arguably bring more stability in the middle of the park for the Hampshire outfit, which will be needed at Fratton Park.
Mousinho won’t want to suffer another defeat and must use Hayden to save his blushes in front of the home fans as Pompey face the Rovers.