'What we've lacked': Portsmouth skipper hails timely emergence of new Fratton favourite
The Comoros international has started four matches for Pompey this season
Iyad Mohamed has added the missing ingredients Pompey’s midfield desperately lacked.
That’s the verdict of Marlon Pack, who has been hugely impressed by the emergence of the Comoros international over the last fortnight.
Starting their third match together in the centre of the park, Mohamed once again shone in Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over Millwall, lifting the Blues into 11th spot.
Rocco Shein, Ebou Adams and Luke Le Roux have also been selected there by John Mousinho this term, with mixed results.
Yet in Mohamed, an August recruit from Portuguese club Casa Pia, Pack believes the Blues have discovered the qualities previously missing.
‘Some real dynamism in there’
He told The News: ‘Iyad has done really well. You probably don’t get to see the other side of his game as much in training, but he broke up the game against Millwall well, with some real dynamism in there.
‘Norwich in particular he showed what a good footballer he is. Okay, the Wolves game was a bit different because of the opposition, but he has come in and added a real depth to the squad, giving us the attributes in midfield we have probably been lacking,
‘Iyad’s left footed, his athleticism is really high, while he made some really good interceptions against Millwall - and his impact hasn’t surprised me.
‘We’ve seen it in training, he's had a build up to it. Obviously you have to allow time to adapt to a new level and a new country and all the stuff which comes with that. The international break also looks like it has helped him because he went away to play games and came back with a bit of match sharpness and match fitness.
‘Iyad is showing his ability and now, in that midfield, we have some good depth and the gaffer has some good options.’
Fourth Championship start for Pompey
With Pack rested against Wolves in the week, Mohamed dropped into a conventional number six role for the 1-1 draw at Molineux.
On Saturday, the skipper was restored to the side, with the 25-year-old pushed forward once again to produce another eye-catching display.
It represented only a fourth Championship start, yet the Fratton faithful have quickly recognised the qualities Mohamed brings to the Blues’ midfield.
And Pack acknowledged the extended options open to Mousinho this season following the summer arrivals of midfield duo Mohamed and Shein.
He added: ‘In fairness with all the boys, I really enjoy playing with Iyad, I really enjoy playing with Ebou.
‘It’s how you can complement each other with our different qualities, our different profiles, and obviously, with that, a good return of points.’