Portsmouth Manager John Mousinho Calls Preston Victory “Huge”

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho characterized Pompey’s 3-1 Championship triumph over Preston North End as “huge” ahead of the international break. This win represented only Portsmouth’s second in the league since their return to the second tier, but it moved them off the foot of the table. Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent: “We knew that we needed the result after everything that’s happened this season and this week as well.” He continued, “It’s been really frustrating just to take the one point from those two games [against Hull City and Plymouth Argyle].” Mousinho further stated, “So the result was the most important thing and very close second to that was the performance.” He concluded, “It’s huge in terms of the points we’ve picked up and just giving everybody a lift.” Mousinho described the week leading up to the Saturday win at Fratton Park as one of “head scratching and frustration.” He added: “A point up at Hull, which we probably take, but we should have won the game,” and noted, “We certainly should have taken at least a point on Tuesday [at Plymouth].” Mousinho reflected on their predicament, saying, “And we’re sitting there thinking ‘how on earth have we put ourselves in this position?’ We know why – because we haven’t been ruthless and clinical at both ends of the pitch.” Regarding the international break, Mousinho commented: “You probably don’t want the international break to come now. But we’ve got a bit of an opportunity to rest some of the boys again. I think that will help us.”