Three Portsmouth players who’ve picked themselves vs Middlesbrough after Watford display
Portsmouth could only muster up a 2-2 draw with Watford on Wednesday, keeping them within touching distance of the Championship’s relegation zone.
John Mousinho’s men played well in the first half, and deservedly took the lead through Yang Min-hyeok’s fierce half-volley.
However, Watford shocked Portsmouth in a contentious game with two quick-fire goals at the start of the second half to take control of the game.
Adrian Segecic fired home a late equaliser, but Mousinho would have hoped to have earned more from this game.
Even so, there were a handful of players who played their way into the manager’s plans with sterling performances.
Below, Pompey News picks out three players who must surely start against Middlesbrough based on their performance against Watford.
Marlon Pack
Marlon Pack made his return from injury as a substitute in Portsmouth’s 2-1 defeat to Ipswich last Saturday, and was arguably their best player.
Pack brought a calmness to Portsmouth’s midfield, spraying passes around the pitch and allowing his team to keep the ball better in that game.
He did exactly the same against Watford last night. Pack was given his first start of the season, and he ran the show for Pompey.
The way he drops deep and pings passes around the pitch allows Portsmouth to dictate the tempo of the game.
That could be crucial against Middlesbrough, who have been lethal in possession this season and will need to be starved of the ball as much as possible.
Provided he’s fit enough to play two games in a week, Pack absolutely must start this game.
Yang Min-hyeok
Yang started this game like a man with a point to prove.
In the opening seconds of the game, the Korean winger span his marker Max Alleyne, who pulled him down and earned an early yellow card.
Minutes later, he fired Pompey ahead with a well-taken half-volley. Portsmouth fans were delighted with Yang’s work rate during this game.
Although he was substituted after 63 minutes, he has surely done enough to be given another start against Middlesbrough.
Adrian Segecic
Segecic has looked bright and dangerous from the moment he signed for Portsmouth.
He has a rocket of a left foot and reminded Mousinho of his goalscoring threat with a well-taken equaliser against Watford.
Segecic looked sharper than Conor Chaplin after replacing him just after the hour. He will have been annoyed to have been dropped to the bench for this game, and did everything he could to justify starting against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
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