‘Really good opportunities’: Portsmouth boss eyes massive period in Championship campaign as QPR and Cardiff City lie in wait

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John Mousinho challenged Pompey to kickstart their season across a huge week for their Championship ambitions.

And the Blues boss acknowledged quick-fire meetings with sides currently either side of them in the Championship table represent ‘good opportunities’ to get the campaign firing at last.

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Mousinho feels a lot could change in the next seven days, though he believes enough football has now been played for the table to tell a relatively accurate story of what’s unfolded this term.

He said: ‘It’s a formative table but at this stage of the season, nine games in, it gives you a pretty good indication of where sides are at. We’re not hiding away from that. 

‘There’s no panic at this stage from us, but we do have to win games.

‘These two games represent really good opportunities for us. 

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‘To be honest, all the games are going to be really difficult. QPR is going to be difficult and Cardiff is going to be difficult, even though they’re down there.

‘They both pose very different and clear threats with the players they’ve got and the squad they’ve got. We’re aware of that.’

‘That’s the big if at the moment - we have to put in the performances and get the results.’

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Mousinho has reiterated his position that if Pompey are to start picking up wins they need to show a more ruthless streak in their game, when it comes to taking chances.

That’s not been the case, though the 38-year-old sees a group who are close to putting in the performances required to deliver wins.

Mousinho added: ‘It’s both ways. There are definitely points we’ve left on the table when we should have come away with draws or wins.

‘That’s something we have to be better at and not leave it to chance.

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‘We have to put games away and try to take a two-goal lead into the game so if there is a slip, mistake or refereeing decision go against us it puts us in a better position.

‘That’s something we have been guilty of this season - when we’ve taken the lead we haven’t properly turned the screw and properly put pressure on sides.

‘There’s loads of things to improve upon, but we’re also very close.’

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