Portsmouth were quick to get their first loss for 28 league games firmly behind them as they beat Burton Albion 2-0. John Mousinho, the Pompey manager was delighted that his team bounced back so well and was full of praise after the game.
Last Saturday’s loss against Blackpool, allowed Bolton Wanderers to move into top spot, and with Oxford United still very much in the mix, it was important to get back to winning ways on the south coast.
Colby Bishop was back amongst the goals, and Alex Robertson sealed the win that sees them level with Bolton at the top of League One, but behind on goal difference.
“The result is the most important thing, but we want to make sure that if we’re going to be consistent this season we put in good performances as well.” Mousinho told The News after the game.
“I thought for the most part, apart from 10 minutes in the second half, we were really good.
“My only disappointment is we didn’t put the game to bed a bit more comfortably towards the back end. We didn’t necessarily have a huge amount of chances, but it was the positions we put ourselves in, the opportunities we had to create something and test their goalkeeper.
“However, off the back of the weekend, the disappointment, the blow to morale and having conceded four, to then register a clean sheet and three points away from home on a very, very cold Tuesday night is really pleasing.”
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What was also pleasing for the Pompey gaffer was the resiliency shown, when they could have felt sorry for themselves after the disappointment of Saturday.
“In a way, I feel I have learnt about them. It’s the first time we’ve been tested like this and it was naturally a very, very different feeling at the training ground on Monday. We had lost a league game, so it was about how we reacted.
“Although I knew this was going to be a game in which they reacted positively. I have seen how the boys have been since the first day of pre-season. This group is a very, very good group, there are some excellent leaders in there. Look at the resolve they have shown to come through a pretty tricky period. A lot of people were thinking maybe this is Pompey dropping off – yet it was an excellent night for all of those lads involved.”
Writer’s View
Portsmouth were going to lose at some point, it is the nature of the EFL that teams will eventually work out how to beat you, and it is too long a season to remain unbeaten. It was always going to be how they reacted to the loss.
Having a game midweek could have gone either way, a feel sorry for themselves moment, or back into a groove. Mousinho saw the best of his team and knew that his group of players have character. They will be in the mix when the promotion medals are handed out.
