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Fixture News

Mousinho: We Have To Get The Job Done Ourselves

Boss not getting distracted ahead of Oxford test

1 March 2024

John Mousinho
Photo: Jason Brown/Pro Sports Images
Fixture News

Mousinho: We Have To Get The Job Done Ourselves

Boss not getting distracted ahead of Oxford test

1 March 2024

Pompey fans certainly welcomed the final whistles sounding at Pride Park and the DW Stadium earlier in the week.

Social media was abuzz when news was confirmed of promotion rivals Derby and Bolton suffering defeats to Charlton and Wigan respectively.

With the end of the season now on the horizon, it was another twist in the exciting race for spots in the Championship.

But while John Mousinho admitted it was a positive outcome for his table-topping side, he is more concerned with how they fare.

And the next test to overcome is a visit from an Oxford side where he used to ply his trade as a player before being appointed at Fratton Park

The Blues boss said: “I was at Leyton Orient v Blackpool to do a bit of opposition scouting, as we’ve got the latter club next week.

“I checked the other results at the back end of that game, which obviously made for a nice bonus for us.

“But the focus is solely on us and there’s nothing we can do about anyone else – you can’t get too up or down about what’s happening elsewhere.

“We need to make sure that we get the job done ourselves, but of course it’s the stage of the season when you’re not going to ignore it.

“That’s all done and now we have to get ready for Saturday against an Oxford side who have a lot of good players.

"The focus is solely on us and there’s nothing we can do about anyone else – you can’t get too up or down about what’s happening elsewhere."

John Mousinho

“I can’t put my finger on why they haven’t done as well as during the earlier part of the season, but I know this is a tough league and it’s difficult to pick up wins.

“A lot of time has passed since I was there and we’ve played them twice in that time, so for me, it’s just business as usual.

“We have to try to play as well as we can to pick up all three points – it doesn’t matter who the opposition are.”

Pompey have had to contend with more than their fair share of injuries this season, but Zak Swanson is closing in on a return.

Meanwhile, blows suffered by Connor Ogilvie and Conor Shaughnessy at Charlton last Saturday do not appear to be too serious.

Mousinho said: “Zak trained with us for part of the session on Wednesday, which was a real bonus. It’s going to be a slow reintroduction for him and hopefully we can push on next week.

“Shaughs has got a couple of black eyes and a nasty cut on the nose after taking the brunt of the back of Marlon Pack’s head, but he’s absolutely fine.

“There was a knock to the head for Ogilvie and you have to check it’s not concussion. We need to get him independently assessed on Friday to clear him for the weekend.

“We haven’t got Tino Anjorin back in the building just yet and are waiting to get the sign off from Chelsea, but we believe he’s pretty close.

“Ben Stevenson is coming along as expected and has been running again outside, but is at least a couple of weeks away.

“There are no other new injuries and so we’re anticipating having the same squad to select from as last weekend.”


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