John Mousinho to have one clear instruction for Andre Dozzell vs Middlesbrough
Portsmouth host Middlesbrough at Fratton Park on Saturday, and it could prove to be their toughest test of the season.
Middlesbrough currently top the Championship table with a record of five wins, three draws and no defeats.
They have kept four clean sheets in their eight games, which is more than any other Championship team.
Rob Edwards' side has every reason to travel to Fratton Park full of confidence based on their early season form.
Andre Dozzell will be tasked with thwarting Middlesbrough's long-pass specialist Alan Browne
Middlesbrough's loan signing Alan Browne has only made four appearances for the Teessiders, and three of those were as a substitute.
However, he started their draw against Stoke on Tuesday and is expected to retain his place at Fratton Park.
Browne, on a season-long loan from Sunderland, helped Middlesbrough to control possession against Stoke.
He recorded:
- An 83% pass success rate
- Two key passes
- Six accurate long passes
This performance was enough for him to top the Championship stats for most accurate long passes per 90 minutes, according to Fotmob.
The way he sits deep in Middlesbrough's midfield and looks for long balls to open up the defence is similar to what Marlon Pack does for Portsmouth.
It was a strong weapon for Middlesbrough, and Portsmouth will need a way to thwart it at Fratton Park.
Andre Dozzell is likely the player who will be told to remain on the heels of Browne to prevent him from having the time to spray passes all over the pitch.
Andre Dozzell has been Portsmouth's unsung hero this season
Last summer, it was suggested that Portsmouth were short of centre-midfielders.
They had relied on loan signings Freddie Potts and Isaac Hayden at the back end of 2024-25, but both returned to their parent clubs.
Portsmouth signed the likes of Luke Le Roux, Mark Kosznovszky and John Swift to fill this gap, but Dozzell has been the standout midfielder this season.
| Andre Dozzell 2025-26 statistics | |
| Appearances | 9 |
| Minutes played | 750 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 0 |
It's a testament to Dozzell's attitude and willingness to work hard that he kept his place in the team despite this flurry of summer signings.
While Portsmouth's defenders have taken most of the credit for Portsmouth's low amount of goals conceded, Dozzell deserves his flowers for that too. He rarely gave any opponent an inch of space in Portsmouth's first few games.
Middlesbrough will be the favourites against Portsmouth, but if Dozzell can do a number on Browne, that could give Pompey the foundation to secure a great result.
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