Pompey had to come through some difficult moments in both Fratton fixtures over the past seven days, coming through with flying colours, notching seven goals & getting six precious points on the board.
Cambridge started brightly & were good value for their lead on Tuesday evening. Reading were able to put the table toppers under some considerable pressure for the first half hour on the weekend and on another day, may well have found themselves a couple of goals better off for their efforts.
This team continues to show character in abundance this season, so were able to navigate through those tricky moments and get back onto the front foot, putting both teams to the sword.
Jurgen Klopp once referred to his Liverpool side as ‘mentality monsters’ for a relentless approach & the ability to overcome challenging positions in their pursuit for success. You can certainly point towards Mousinho’s men having taken that mantle on.
The Blues have become well versed in dealing with adversity throughout the current campaign, both on and off the field. Each time they have stepped up to the plate maintaining their status at the top of the division.
On the first day of the campaign this season, a 92nd minute equaliser from Kusini Yengi earned The Blues a point in front of an expectant home crowd. That goal at the Fratton End in early August, set the tone for some great comebacks throughout the season.
Pompey have remarkably gained 21 points from positions of deficit during the 23/24 league one season to date. Without this ‘bouncebackabilty’ Pompey would sit on 51 points and outside of the play-off positions heading into the final 12 games.
We have seen countless turnarounds and late goals in both first and second half added time in plenty of matches. Of course, we all know of the staggering injury list that the club has had to contend with.
What is guaranteed from this group, is a tireless performance, full of commitment and endeavour. The values and philosophy of the manager are clear and the team have never wavered from that.
An example of this can be shown from Will Norris role in the opener on Saturday. Norris’ distribution was not up to his usual high standards in the opening third of the fixture, but he was able to show the resolve and belief in his ability, pulling off a fine cross field ball to Kamara.
That pass opened up the right hand side of the pitch, unlocking Readings press. Kamara still had plenty of work to do of course, but I watched Norris’ reaction to the strike and how vigorous celebration showed he knew he had played a large part.
A few grumbles murmured around the stadium following a some earlier long passes that didn’t reach their intended targets. It would been easy for Norris to have chosen ‘safer’ passes, but it is that resilience and character that is a trait of this side.
Moments like this can be linked back to a brave manager. It goes without saying you need the right philosophy, as well as tactically astute, technically gifted players.
However, everything you do in modern-day coaching is linked towards the psychological and social aspects of the environment the coach creates. Which in turn, would explain the ‘never say die’ attitude and togetherness we have seen through this season.
The players have complete buy-in to the principles of play and values that Mousinho and his staff set every day. This is why the squad of players along with the manager have endeared themselves to the Fratton faithful.
You can feel a real affinity between the players and support base that is unlike what we have seen in recent seasons.
Just scrolling through social media, it is clear that there is a connection and with that everyone is playing their part to finally get this club back into the second tier of English football. The Blue army are aware of the big role they will continue to play for the run-in, safe in the knowledge that their team will return the faith and give it their all for the full ninety plus minutes.
In recent weeks, no one epitomises that connection between players and fans more than Marlon Pack.
Since the first whistle against Northampton a few weeks ago, you can see Pack’s performance levels have accelerated.
He is the key component of this team, having seen his midfield partners taken away from him one by one. With each passing game, Pack’s importance is becoming more and more apparent.
Being Pompey born and bred, he knows the importance and meaning of representing our city.
There was a huge amount of chat earlier in the season from Sky pundits talking about Rashford being a homegrown talent at Manchester United and the pressures that can bring. The expectancy of ‘one of your own’ to deliver more for their boyhood club. Well right now, Marlon Pack is delivering in spades.
He feels it, he gets it and he is living every Pompey fans dream.
Pack is not only showing the energy, commitment and quality required, but you can see he is revelling in his role as captain and leader of the club.
In the post-game scenes uploaded online to the club socials channels following recent victories, Pack is at the forefront.
Congratulating his team mates, ramping up the crowd, you can see what every three points means to him. These videos have become unmissable viewing for all supporters.
During the second half on Saturday especially, Pack controlled the midfield and dictated the game from his central position.
His goal was just rewards for his recent showings. What a well taken strike it was too, it would have been easy to swing his left boot at the ball when in the 18 yard box with twenty thousand fans calling for a shot. It was composure personified, to drag the ball to his right foot sending the defender off balance before burying it into the far corner.
Captain Pack and his team mates are 12 games away from writing themselves into Pompey folklore.
Marlon Pack - Captain, Leader, soon to be legend?
Should he continue to lead this Pompey squad the way he has been, with everyone continuing to show the qualities we have seen up this point…..Absolutely
