JOHN'S HAVING THE LAST LAUGH

IT’S an understatement to say there was a fair bit of scepticism when John Mousinho took the Portsmouth reins in January

- John Lyons

Fans and pundits alike were left somewhat baffled as to why a club of Pompey’s size and stature were turning to a managerial novice in the case of the Oxford United player-coach.

But fast-forward nine months and it appears the Fratton Park hierarchy knew what they were doing all along – or just got lucky. Either way, Mousinho has, by anyone’s standards, made an impressive start to life in the dugout.

From an initial 15th place to a finishing position of eighth in League One last term showed signs of promise, though the 37-year-old freely admits it could have been even better.

For while Portsmouth finished the season on the back of an 11-game unbeaten run, seven of those were draws and, ultimately, it meant the playoffs remained frustratingly out of reach.

This term, the Hampshire club have continued where they left off, topping the standings with the only unbeaten record left in the division pre-weekend. Five wins and four draws left Portsmouth sitting pretty going into yesterday’s game at Wigan.

It’s no wonder the doubters are beginning to eat a slice of humble pie, though even Mousinho admits he could understand why there may have been some concerns at first.