Forest Green 0 Portsmouth 1: Neil Allen's verdict - Danny Cowley's playing project brilliantly rises above mediocrity to become talk of Fratton faithful

‘Look after yourself, take great care, live like a nun. I know it’s your birthday, celebrate it another week, you've got to go again on Tuesday.’

Jay Mingi dutifully nodded in acknowledgement as fellow birthday boy Danny Cowley imparted words of wisdom, with hands positioned on his attentive pupil’s shoulders.

The midfielder had just turned in a magnificent display on the occasion of his maiden Football League start, soaring above the mediocrity drowning the game below.

Yet stood beside the New Lawn playing surface afterwards, Pompey’s head coach was keen to pass on further instructions to the newly-crowned 22-year-old.

Mingi was once portrayed as a ‘project’, the former triallist loaned to Maidenhead to aid his development, in the process catching the eye of ambitious Wrexham in last January’s transfer window.

On Saturday he announced his coming of age as a fully-fledged first-team candidate.

Like any proud father, Cowley remains protective of his protege, keen to provide strong guidance to ensure the ex-Charlton youngster continues to flourish under his watchful eye.

With Oxford United visiting Fratton Park on Tuesday night, Mingi remains in his selection thoughts – and rightly so following a superb full debut in the 1-0 triumph over Forest Green Rovers.

Deprived of four seasoned midfielders, Cowley had turned to the out-of-favour Ryan Tunnicliffe and a rookie with 12 league substitute outings in his career.

The outcome was an eye-catching display from Mingi in particular, establishing himself as an irresistible driving force at the heart of Pompey’s play, surging from deep with the ball at his feet without trepidation.

Often he was stopped by foul rather than fair means, particularly in the first half, as Rovers were left in the slipstream of the impressive midfield man.

Amid a winning Pompey performance which was merely functional and barely able to climb out of second gear, Mingi was head and shoulders the game’s outstanding player.

Some of the home support may disagree, of course, particularly those with the curious obsession for roaring at Danny Cowley whenever he strayed outside the technical area rather than fixing their eyes on the actual match.

Nonetheless, afterwards former Pompey League Two title-winning skipper Michael Doyle, now assistant head coach at Rovers, remarked favourably on Mingi’s showing.

Ultimately, the Blues man was silenced by cramp, forced off in the 81st minute to be replaced by Michael Morrison with the accompanying reshuffle seeing Connor Ogilvie pushed up into his place.

However, he had already made a considerable impact in a game largely devoid of attacking quality, joining the back four and redundant keeper Josh Griffiths in escaping criticism.

In fairness, Tunnicliffe, in his first league start in 16 matches, gave solid service and deserves plaudits following his re-emergence once more from cold storage.

There were plenty of disappointments elsewhere, though, including recalled pair Joe Pigott and Ronan Curtis, while it has now been six matches since Colby Bishop scored from open play.

As for Owen Dale, whose free-kick supplied Sean Raggett with his 17th-minute winner, Pompey must find a way to involve the talented Blackpool loanee more, with a frustrating recent dip in form.

Still, Saturday represented an important win, having collected just two points from their previous four League One fixtures to slip behind the leading pack.

As a consequence, little credence should be given to the overall level of Pompey’s performance, irrespective of its disappointing nature. A positive result was the crucial outcome of a maiden visit to the New Lawn Stadium.

Indeed, Cowley made five changes in the aftermath of that dismal Charlton defeat which also saw Marlon Pack collect a suspension and Michael Jacobs yet again sidelined by injury.

Meanwhile, Joe Morrell had been unable to train in the preceding days after suffering a stiff back, although was named on the bench on Saturday, albeit not utilised.

Their midfield absence opened the door for Mingi and Tunnicliffe, with Tom Lowery and Louis Thompson remaining in the treatment room.

Elsewhere, Zak Swanson was handed a Football League full debut, named at right-back in the ongoing absence of Joe Rafferty and therefore releasing Ogilvie from his uncomfortable five-game stint.

In turn, Ogilvie’s return to his favoured left-back role allowed Clark Robertson to resume his centre-half partnership with Raggett for the first time this season.

Morrison, who had been substituted at half-time at The Valley, made way, as Cowley found himself with the left and right-footed balance in the centre of defence he prefers.

Meanwhile, Curtis and Pigott were back in place of Josh Koroma and Dane Scarlett, although the latter’s introduction from the bench in the second half would prove far more effective than the recalled pair were able to muster.

For Pigott, it was a first league start since August 6 against Lincoln and the personal disappointment over his performance was visible, shaking his head at himself as he made way after failing to last 60 minutes before replaced by Scarlett.

As for Curtis, at least he can claim to have been involved in the decisive goal, winning the free-kick down the left which delivered Raggett’s first of the season and the three points.

Before that moment, the Irishman had also threaded a ninth-minute pass across to Bishop, who took a touch before firing off a fierce shot which ex-Pompey keeper Luke McGee pushed against the bar.

Mingi also had a shot deflected wide, while Pigott prodded a difficult chance wide following a penalty area scramble during a first half in which the Blues were comfortable without being particularly impressive.

Certainly they were worth their half-time lead against a Rovers side in the relegation zone before the start of day’s play and possessing the worst defensive record in the league.

After the break, substitute Scarlett headed wide Swanson’s excellent cross from the right when he should have scored, while cleverly carved out another chance only for Bishop to miss after snatching it off him.

Yet it was a period in which Rovers enjoyed their best periods, albeit unable to put Griffiths under pressure or penetrate the formidable centre-half pairing.

In the end, Raggett's header was enough to get Pompey back and up running on a day which will be remembered for Mingi’s breakthrough rather than team performance.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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