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.
Denne historien er fra October 01, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 01, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Pride at the park is perfect for Paul
EVERYONE deserved a pat on the back was Paul Warne’s verdict as his Derby County side hung on for all three points.
ACE HARRIS NETS TOP AWARD WITH GOAL RUSH
STRIKER Mark Harris has led the Oxford United assault on the second tier – and now it’s landed him the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for August.
SEASIDE LATE SHOW GIVES BRUCE BUZZ
IN HIS first match back in football, new Blackpool boss Steve Bruce admitted this was a tense encounter.
CLEMENCE GETS BLUEBIRDS TO
BARROW boss Stephen Clemence was delighted with his side’s multi faceted performance as they beat Grimsby to continue their strong league start.
KARL FUMES DESPITE LATE SUB HEROICS
KARL Robinson was delighted to see Salford City come back from behind to beat Cheltenham Town thanks to Hakeeb Adelakun’s second-half brace.
PATIENCE REQUIRED OVER NEW BOY ALZATE
HULL City boss Tim Walter says fans will have to wait to see “perfect” midfielder Steven Alzate unleashed on the Championship
DOM AIMS TO HAVE A BALL AT THE O'S...
DOM Ball is eager to use all his experience to help Leyton Orient achieve ‘something special’ this season.
DEL-BOY IS CUSHTY FOR CLEVERLEY
ALTHOUGH it needed a second-half strike from Tom Dele-Bashiru to rescue a point for Watford against Coventry, Hornets’ relieved head coach Tom Cleverley was determined not to point the finger at his slow-starting players.
MACKEMS' PERFECT RECORD IS ROO-INED
WAYNE Rooney expressed his delight after his first Championship win as Plymouth Argyle boss came by beating previously unbeaten leaders Sunderland at the death.
Spanish starlet is seizing his big chance
SUNDERLAND'S failure to sign an established striker this summer left fans apoplectic, but Eliezer Mayenda is doing his best to quell the dissent.