“Not rested, not dropped”: Portsmouth manager reveals rationale for unexpected squad selection

“Not rested, not dropped”: Portsmouth manager reveals rationale for unexpected squad selection

John Mousinho has revealed Cambridge United’s unexpected full-back lineup adjustments.

The Blues manager stunned the Fratton supporters on Tuesday night at Abbey Stadium by benching Joe Rafferty and the in-form Jack Sparkes.

Instead, right-back Zak Swanson received his first league start in five weeks, and fit-again Connor Ogilvie made his first appearance in seven games.

Ogilvie was taken off the field after eight minutes due to a concerning ankle injury, and the game ended in a goalless draw.

Additionally, Mousinho has provided an explanation for his selection process.

 

“The best way to explain is that I have four full-backs competing for places, and all are really at it, so we’re taking each game as it comes,” Pompey’s head coach said to The News.

We believed that Connor would be better off playing on the left at Cambridge and perhaps attempting to neutralize their primary danger, James Brophy. Fair play to Sparkesie; he did it when he first appeared, and we do anticipate it from him.

“Then, in terms of the way we wanted to attack, we thought it really suited Zak, and he was excellent, contributing greatly to our attacking performance,” the statement continued. It therefore appeared to function.

There are four quality full-backs vying for those slots, and I’m sure most people will agree that making that choice is never simple. Players are better suited for particular games; therefore, moving forward, we want to work it that way.

 

“Joe and Jack’s outstanding performances have kept them on the sidelines; they didn’t lose their spots because of them.”

“Joe and Jack’s outstanding performances have kept them on the sidelines; they didn’t lose their spots because of them.”

Joe is right up there with four assists, as is Jack, with his ability to cross and get in at the back post. On Monday, I told them, “You haven’t been dropped; this is the state of the game and how we intend to proceed.”

‘Part of it is that it’s wonderful to have new legs coming in, but since Joe’s been back in the side, except that Barnsley game where he looked exhausted toward the end, he has been outstanding physically and really come into matches towards the back end; in the 80-85th minute, he’s still running.

Although it’s convenient to be able to freshen things up, especially when traveling, it wasn’t the intended use. “You are not being dropped, and you are not being rested,” was the message. I’m merely altering it.

 

Swanson nearly capped his comeback with a goal in the 50th minute, but his shot went straight at goalkeeper Jack Stevens.

It turned out to be one of the visitors’ only two shots on goal for the whole Cambridge match.

 

“Zak did really well, and we had some really good play down that right-hand side,” Mousinho continued.

Although he did pull the trigger in the second half and get into some pretty favorable positions, his shooting wasn’t quite up to par.

 

Although Zak may not be known for his shooting, he is a very, very strong player technically, and I am confident that he can score goals when given the opportunity.