'You've got no legs there' - Portsmouth legend questions surprise tactic that went horribly wrong at QPR
Guy Whittingham has questioned Pompey’s use of both John Swift and Ebou Adams for Saturday’s defeat at QPR.
Guy Whittingham has questioned John Mousinho’s decision to play both Ebou Adams and John Swift out of position for Saturday’s 6-1 hammering at the hands of QPR.
The Blues legend said it was a tactical switch that simply didn’t pay off for the Blues.
But what surprised the former Fratton Park favourite even more was the head coach’s decision to stick with his original game-plan - even when Pompey found themselves 3-0 down to the Rs after just 30 minutes.
Whittingham: Decision didn’t pay off, in my eyes
Mousinho sprung the surprise after handing Swift - who scored Pompey’s goal - a recall to the starting XI, with the former West Brom attacking midfielder expected to fill in at No10, after Conor Chaplin was named on the bench.
However, for the trip to Loftus Road, the 30-year-old was asked to play a deeper-lying role in the midfield alongside 34-year-old Pack, with Adams instructed to be the conduit between the midfield pairing and the forward line.
According to Whittingham, though, it mean’t Pompey had ‘no legs’ in the middle of the park.
Querying the decision, the former Blues player and manager told BBC Solent: ‘We said it during commentary, Ebou Adams playing as the No. 10 and Swift as the deeper midfielder alongside Pack!
‘You've got no legs there. You know, Pack and Ebou Adams in that, well, I wouldn't say defensive role, but the more sitting midfielder roles seem to work pretty well.
‘But, today, it was poor, poor, it really was. And Ebou Adams, you know, for all his effort and his gusto and everything he puts into the game, you know, isn't a No. 10.
‘That's a big decision made by John Mousinho which didn't pay off in my eyes today. And it's not very often that you say that about John Mousinho, his decision to play a certain way, and he kept it that way as well.
‘We were expecting it to change, but it didn't. ‘
With Andrew Dozzell injured, Adams and Pack had started the past eight games together in the Blues’ midfield and looked a decent partnership.
Whittingham added he was at a loss as to why Mousinho decided to change it up for such an important game.
‘The partnership with Adams and Pack in that centre midfield seemed to be a decent one, they had a good understanding,’ he added.
‘You know, Ebou Adams would get forward and get back. And obviously had legs in that midfield.
‘And Swift, we've said his favourite position is that number 10 role.
‘Bu, yeah, it's a difficult one to think of why that was done. I obviously have no explanation as to why. ‘