Arsenal transformed our season: John Mousinho on crucial 'reset' which has rejuvenated Portsmouth
The Blues have won three of their last five matches to move into 19th spot in the Championship
John Mousinho is convinced Arsenal have helped transform Pompey’s season.
And with the mid-season ‘reset’ subsequently yielding two defeats in their last eight games, the resurgent Blues find themselves inching towards Championship safety.
Following a dismal 5-0 defeat at Bristol City on New Year’s Day, Mousinho’s men were positioned precariously above the bottom three, being a point clear and nursing the second-worst goal difference in the division.
Following the initial postponement of Ipswich’s south-coast visit due to a frozen pitch, Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round trip provided their next challenge.
Although the clash with the long-time Premier League leaders ended in a 4-1 defeat, there was plenty to like about Pompey’s performance that day - set-piece defending aside.
‘Really it has come from a reset’
And with four wins and two draws in the eight games since, the rejuvenated Blues are now six points clear of the drop.
Mousinho told The News: ‘Prior to the new year, we had been okay away from home. We were okay against Swansea, we put in a half-decent performance at Derby - then, obviously, at Bristol City we were blown away.
‘Then we knuckled down post Arsenal, when I thought we were excellent on the day. We have since replicated those sorts of performances home and away.
‘Really, it has come from a reset post-Bristol City. A recognition of the fact we can do both sides of the game pretty well when we put our minds to it. We can play and also mix it and go a bit more direct.
‘I suppose the form going into Bristol City was okay, we weren't in a terrible spot. That day was really poor, then we had a two-week breather, a break in the league until the FA Cup.
‘After that was the reset in the way we’re going to play from now until the end of the season. We had been trying to do it, but hadn’t executed it particularly well, but the Arsenal game gave us a blueprint.
‘This is what you can do against the best side in the world. Imagine if we can do that consistently in the Championship, then we can pick up results on and off the ball. I think the lads have done that very well.’
Three wins in five games for Portsmouth
Upon reflection, that Ashton Gate hammering may well have been a blip rather than the norm over recent months.
Heading into the trip to Bristol City, the Blues had collected eight points from a possible 12, including a 1-1 at Derby in their previous away fixture.
However, such was the shocking display in the New Year’s Day humbling, pressure on the head coach was beginning to build once more.
Nonetheless, despite a Gabriel Martinelli-inspired Arsenal win on January 11, there was plenty to be encouraged about in the 4-1 defeat for the Fratton faithful, having taken the lead through Colby Bishop.
And now, after three wins in their last five games, including Saturday's 3-1 triumph at Millwall, the belief has been strengthened that Pompey can remain in the Championship.
Mousinho added: ‘The lads have grown into the season. We did it to a certain extent last year, but a bit later.
‘So I’m hoping that we are growing into things earlier this time around.’