Portsmouth are flying high at the top of the League One table as they remain unbeaten in the first dozen games of the season.
Even when Pompey were defeated by Peterborough United in the Carabao Cup, it came from a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw during normal time.
With their game at Northampton Town at the weekend called off due to International call-ups, there is a chance to rest the squad. However, the EFL Trophy has a full slate of games this midweek and manager John Mousinho sees this competition as a chance to keep the momentum going.
Road To Wembley
For some, this competition is ridiculed and fans across the country have boycotted games, largely due to the fact that top-level B teams have been taking part. Nevertheless, it is still a route to Wembley and a grand day out. It also gives managers a chance to experiment with players and systems.
Mousinho, though, will be eyeing tonight’s game against Gillingham — themselves having had a good start to the season — as a chance to keep his team’s good run going.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s tie, the manager told the official club site:
“We’re going to be really strong, especially as we don’t have a game at the weekend. There will be quite a few guys involved who played for us against Port Vale on Saturday and not as many changes as before.
“We want to keep up that winning mentality and we also want people to come in and compete for spots to give me a headache.
“But we also want to advance as far as we can in the competition and provide more valuable matches for this squad.”
Knowing that the opposition are in a state of flux after the surprise dismissal of Neil Harris last week, Mousinho is a little in the dark as to how they will set up.
“It’s a strange situation – it’s difficult for us to prepare because we have no idea what they’re going to do. But they had a good win against MK Dons at the weekend and the most important message for the lads is that we’ll have to see what comes on the night, then adjust accordingly.”
Writer’s View
Portsmouth are in the wrong division. League One is so competitive that they’ve had to bide their time in getting primed for a solid promotion run. They are playing the type of football that would do well in the Championship, albeit with a little strengthening.
Mousinho will be keen to keep an edge to his squad, while also giving some minutes to those returning from injury and on the fringes of the team. Wembley would be a good reward for the faithful fans, but promotion to the Championship is the ultimate goal for all at the club.
