John Mousinho deserves credit at Portsmouth as ‘mature’ verdict emerges
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has been picked out for praise after the evolution of his side in the Championship this season.
Pompey now looks safe from relegation in the second tier after securing a hugely important three points against Blackburn Rovers last time out.
A first-half Josh Murphy strike was enough to send the Blues five points clear of Cardiff City in 22nd with seven games remaining until the end of the campaign.
This was the one and only goal ahead of the season which has seen the Fratton Park club be picked out for their successes.
Mousinho deserves praise for Portsmouth work
It is fair to say that the PO4 started the season in frustrating fashion as they fell to defeats against the likes of Stoke City and Cardiff.
These had looked like de-railing a first year back in the second tier since 2012 but Mousinho and Co. have done well to turn things around.
| Position | Club | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 17. | Portsmouth | 39 | -14 | 45 |
| 18. | Stoke City | 39 | -12 | 42 |
| 19. | Oxford United | 39 | -17 | 42 |
| 20. | Derby County | 39 | -9 | 41 |
| 21. | Hull City | 39 | -9 | 41 |
| 22. | Cardiff City | 39 | -20 | 40 |
The return of Colby Bishop and the increase in performance level to grind out results has been excellent and deserving of survival.
This has been echoed by former Pompey ace Paul Robinson who has picked out his old side’s maturity for their recent improvement on BBC Radio Solent (4 April).
He said: “The games aren’t always pretty and they become nervy, for whatever reason. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to get over the line and get three points on the board.
“If it means grinding out a result, getting something to hold onto and the whole team putting in a shift to get you over the line, then that’s what you’ve got to do.
“Credit to Portsmouth, I think that’s where they have adapted really well to life in the Championship. They started a bit more open but now you see a more mature side that are becoming a lot wiser.”
Mousinho desveres praise at Portsmouth
It is fair to say that all the sides promoted from League One have done well to succeed in the second tier, despite all struggling at times.
Derby County look the most likely to face relegation but could turn it around under John Eustace who has excellent experience of building sides up.
Even if the former Birmingham City head coach does keep the Rams up, the success of Mousinho can’t be undersold after an excellent campaign.
The 38-year-old has done well to build up a side and get the best out of League One regulars like
Connor Ogilvie and Callum Lang.
This could serve his side well ahead of another season in the Championship, where his side will be hopeful of pushing even further up the table.