Portsmouth manager John Mousinho did not hold back in his post-match interview after his side drew with relegation-threatened Fleetwood Town.
Portsmouth would go into Saturday a whole seven points ahead of second-placed Peterborough, and an enormous 32 points ahead of their opponents Fleetwood.
However the points would be shared at Fratton Park, with Fleetwood scoring their first goal in the league since the 1st of November in a 1-1 draw. Having lost five games on the bounce the Cods were huge underdogs for the tie, yet returned to the North with a point.
Despite getting a point, Lee Johnson’s side remain 22nd but have now closed the gap to safety to just two points. That’ll provide a massive confidence booster prior to their Boxing Day clash with fellow relegation-threatened side Carlisle United.
As for Portsmouth, the result is certainly a worry and although it is too early to say that the wheels are falling off, it marks what has been a poor last week for Mousinho’s men. During the week, Portsmouth would be thrashed 5-2 by League Two side AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Trophy, a game filled with frustration as Wimbledon ran out easy winners.
Complacency no doubt crept in on that occasion and that same complacency was evident in their match-up with Fleetwood. It is very much two points dropped rather than one point gained, and with Peterborough, Bolton and Derby all winning below them, Portsmouth will begin to be looking over their shoulders.
That complacency must be eradicated if the south-coast side want to get back on track and avoid any more slip-ups. Manager John Mousinho was incredibly disappointed in his post-match interview with club media, blaming that said complacency for the dropped points.
“We didn’t pick up any second balls, the passing was sloppy, our crossing was pretty abysmal and we got punished for that, which is what we deserved.
“Overall, I thought it was really disappointing and it’s difficult to put my finger on why that was the case.
“Fleetwood came here with a plan and were defensively organised, but I don’t know why we were as poor as we were after the break.
“I don’t think that performance happens if the lads’ mentality is right and it’s not something we should accept as a football club. I know we’re better than that.
“I watch these players perform day in, day out and we’ve all seen what they can do this season, but that was lacking and it’s incredibly frustrating.”
Portsmouth’s next two games are both on the road, as they travel to Bristol Rovers and Exeter City respectively. Three points from both games are needed in order to not be swallowed up by the chasing pack and with a short turnaround between both, changes are needed immediately.
Writer’s View
Very few would’ve had a Fleetwood side, who had not scored since early November, to return from Fratton Park with a point. It is a great result for the Fishermen, and with two of the bottom four winning, is a much-needed point to keep their survival hopes alive.
As for Portsmouth it was a hugely disappointing afternoon and was another poor performance after their midweek cup tie with AFC Wimbledon. Cracks are beginning to show and Mousinho might now choose to be quite active in January to spark a change.
Senior Editor
