John Mousinho – More to come from Portsmouth despite big win

Posted Sunday, August 13, 2023 by PA

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho believes there is still room for improvement with his side despite a comprehensive 4-0 away win at League One newcomers Leyton Orient.

The visitors bossed the show with Marlon Pack breaking the deadlock on 23 minutes before Colby Bishop doubled the advantage.

Six minutes after the interval, Orient skipper Omar Beckles turned Gavin Whyte’s teasing cross past his own keeper and then in added time, Kusini Yengi slotted home a penalty to complete the rout.

“I thought the second half was really good and we were excellent in the way we saw the game out and very professional in terms of getting the third and fourth goal to kill the game,” Mousinho said.

“I don’t like to be too critical but the players came in at half-time and it was case that everyone knew it wasn’t good enough. We were two-nil up off the back of being a bit sloppy.

“I thought we looked a bit leggy to be honest and I wondered if it was because we didn’t travel overnight for the first time but I thought we were a bit fortunate with that scoreline at half-time.

“But full credit to the lads for the effort and shift they put in second half they were absolutely excellent.

“There could have been more in the second half but that’s not a disappointing thing because in that part atmosphere the players stuck to their jobs and made it comfortable for us.

“Our job is to make sure we don’t get carried away and have to keep our feet on the ground but I don’t want to dampen anything down because that was a really good four-nil victory.”

Richie Wellens admitted his Orient side, who were experiencing League One football for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign, lacked the experience of competing at the higher level.

“I thought first half we were probably the better team,” he said.

“The reason they won the game was because of experienced players who have played at this level who did the basics right. They never wowed us but they defend the box well and they attack balls at the other end.

“We need to be better in the box because we didn’t defend it well.

“First half I thought we should have had more shots. We conceded from set plays and it’s something we need to work on.

“Sol Brynn (goalkeeper) got injured yesterday and potentially it could be a bad one. The squad is now looking threadbare because we have some good players in the treatment room.

“We’ve had little things go against but the positives are Max Sanders came on, we got another 70 minutes out of Joe Piggott but the third goal was the killer.

“It’s been a tough start not necessarily the results but we are lacking.”