Mousinho ‘biggest strength is also weakness’ after latest Portsmouth admission
Portsmouth look like they will be fighting right until the end of the season to save themselves from relegation to League One.
John Mousinho’s side picked up all three points against Blackburn Rovers last time out, which leaves them five points clear of the relegation zone.
However, it remains incredibly tight at the bottom of the table, which means Mousinho’s men have to keep their standards high to keep their spot in the Championship.
Mousinho makes Portsmouth admission
Portsmouth’s form has been somewhat rocky throughout the season so far, but Mousinho has not been afraid to change things in the team.
In fact, the boss has become somewhat synonymous with his constant changes to the team and, notably, the positions of certain players.
Marlon Pack has been used as a makeshift defender at times, while Terry Devlin is known for his ability to play in most positions on the pitch throughout the campaign.
Meanwhile, Connor Ogilvie is the latest to be given a new role in the side, having moved to centre-back from the left, where he has received praise for his performances.
The boss has admitted that supporters can expect more changes, telling The News (3 April): “I would be very, very surprised if our playing style doesn’t change between now and next season, regardless of league position.
“Football is constantly evolving tactically anyway, and while we don’t want to follow the crowd, we want to keep up with what we think is the best thing to do.
“Probably, in order to progress as a team, we might need to tweak that further as we go along, but it won’t be wholesale changes. There might be games where we want to have a bit more impetus in possession and build in a different way.
“At the minute, we are doing things in a certain way because the priority is to stay in the Championship. However, there’s always room for change, we constantly evolve as a side, we always have done during the two years I’ve been here, and I think it will continue.”
Mousinho sets out Portsmouth plan
His methods may have been unorthodox at times throughout the season, but Mousinho does seem to be guiding his side away from the relegation zone.
| Position | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points |
| 17 | 39 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 45 |
Having the ability to reflect and change things to get the best results for the side is always an important attribute in football, and if Pompey survive this season, there will be no one doubting his methods.
However, whether this is the right way to do things going forward could also undermine the boss in what is his biggest strength.
If the boss wants to bring a period of stability to Fratton Park and build a side that can progress, then surely that’s synonymous with players knowing their jobs in the team and building their performances in that respect.
It’s one thing changing tactically in order to suit an opponent and constantly changing the way your side plays, asking new things from them on a regular basis.
Although it has proved to work for his side this term, Mousinho needs to make sure he doesn’t get trapped in a long-term situation where he is unsure of his best side.