John Mousinho makes massive call over huge Portsmouth favourite’s Fratton career
A big statement from the Pompey head coach over the Championship levels of the former Lincoln City and Manchester United man.
Regan Poole’s Pompey performances are now scaling new heights.
But Blues boss John Mousinho is adamant the big Fratton favourites needs to deliver a consistent run of displays at his current outstanding level, before he’s considered as being in the form of his life.
Mousinho on Poole: ‘Regan is the best he’s looked over the past week.’
Mousinho believes the Wales international’s performances have reached a standard against Norwich City and Wolves where the centre-back is the best he’s looked in a Pompey shirt.
That’s a big statement, given the 28-year-old’s levels in the League One title-winning campaign before injury struck in November 2023, while Poole has seen impressive periods at Championship level since returning.
The Pompey boss is delighted with what he’s seeing from the former Lincoln City man but wants to see standards maintained in the four games up to the November international break, before saying Poole’s in the form of his career.
Mousinho said: ‘I think Regan ’s had a brilliant week.
‘If we’re sat there post-international break saying he’s had seven games like that, I’d say he’s in the form of his life - not yet.
‘I think Regan was excellent on Saturday, I think Saturday was his best game in a Portsmouth shirt and I thought he was excellent again at Wolves and led the team brilliantly.
‘What I want to do is continue with the level of demand we’ve had on the players.
‘I do think Regan is the best he’s looked over the past week.
‘It’s like the team as well - let’s keep going. Let’s capitalise on that over the next few games as well.
‘I’m really pleased for him though, I thought everything about him at Wolves was excellent.
‘He led the team so well and I just thought he looked a lot more confident - but there’s still a lot to work on.
‘Even when Regan wasn’t playing he was positive and kept himself going, though he was obviously frustrated he wasn’t playing.
‘So now it’s all about staying fit, believing and when you get your chance you take it - that’s what Regan has done.'
With Pompey struggling with defensive injuries, Poole has now started four games on the spin after being out of the starting XI since the opening-day loss to QPR.
Madiodio Dia has been the 28-year-old’s centre-back partner in that time, with the Senegal man’s own displays rapidly improving along the way.
With the likes of Conor Shaughnessy, Benjy Arthur and Connor Ogilvie sidelined, Mousinho likes what he’s seeing from the partnership.
He added: ‘It was those two who had quite a good partnership last year when Jojo came into the side.
‘We dovetailed those two, so Regan has a good understanding of playing with him.
‘When I spoke about Jojo playing well at places like Norwich, those two were together.
‘I think their first game together was the Southampton game this season - and post that it’s been three really good defensive displays.’