Portsmouth boss reveals Ebou Adams’ reaction to being benched as he weighs up Burnley call over Derby County capture
The General is energising Pompey - but it’s often off the bench as they push up the Championship.
Ebou Adams is refusing to agitate as he finds himself cast as Pompey’s super sub.
Blues boss John Mousinho has lauded the Fratton favourite’s impact and attitude, as he energises his side’s rise up the Championship late in proceedings.
Mousinho on Adams: ‘He doesn’t change whether he’s in or out of side’
Mousinho’s men go to Burnley today looking to improve a run of 10 points from a possible 12, which sees them go into the game two points outside of the play-offs.
Adams has been a big influence on that form, helping to see Pompey home in three of the past four games when being introduced.
The 30-year-old grabbed a late winner against the Blades, with that one of eight occasions so far this season he’s been a substitute.
There’s been no angst from the former Cardiff City man over that, however, as the midfielder adds impetus to his team late in proceedings.
Mousinho said: ‘Ebou’s great, he doesn’t change whether he’s in the side or out of the side.
‘He doesn’t change whether he’s playing or injured.
‘The character you see out on the football pitch is what we get in training every day.
‘Ebou will always give absolutely everything no matter what I say to him or what I do. It’s brilliant to have that.
‘In recent weeks he’s played mainly like that (impacting the game off the bench).
‘But if you look at what he did last week, he had two sub appearances in two big games but also started against Wolves and was excellent for the full 90 minutes.
‘He was very unlucky to lose his place against Millwall.’
Mousinho has also remains convinced Adams can flourish in the No10 position for Pompey.
The Pompey boss did receive some flak when using the £500,000 capture from Derby County in that role at times last season, most clearly when he started there for the 6-1 thrashing at QPR in March.
But Mousinho feels Adams can operate in that role effectively both in and out of possession for his side.
When asked if he feels Adams has proved his qualities as a number 10, Mousinho added: ‘I think so.
‘He didn’t play there the other night against Wolves, he was much more of an eight against Wolves.
‘But when he came on as a 10 against Sheffield United he got the goal, when he came on as a 10 the other day he had that impact.
‘The way that we play, it’s different when we press and the 10 is a lot higher than the other central midfielders.
‘But in terms of the build-up, having the eight and the 10 pretty similar in their positions means he can do that.’