The Portsmouth partnership that has been 'massive' and provided the bedrock in win over Sunderland

Pompey plaudits have unsurprisingly been dominated by John Marquis and Marcus Harness in the past two games.
Jack Whatmough has been in excellent form for Pompey. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.comJack Whatmough has been in excellent form for Pompey. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com
Jack Whatmough has been in excellent form for Pompey. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com

The new-look strike partnership has breathed goalscoring prowess and identity into the Blues after their early-season struggles.

Marquis has three goals in his past two games, while Harness boasts a finish of his own and an assist.

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Their first-half efforts in the 3-1 win at Sunderland were the only goals that Phil Parkinson’s men have conceded from open play this campaign.

Yet what shouldn’t go underestimated was Pompey’s rearguard resilience at the Stadium of Light.

Charlie Wyke’s goal was the only shot the previously-unbeaten Black Cats had on target.

Despite coming out on the front foot in the second half, Sunderland failed to create any clear-cut chances.

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In central defence, Jack Whatmough and Sean Raggett were stoic and mopped up any danger.

Following the summer departure of Christian Burgess, there were some concerns regarding Pompey’s defence heading into the new term.

However, the partnership of Whatmough and Raggett has shipped only seven goals in eight league matches – which is keeping FC Midtjylland loanee Rasmus Nicolaisen out of the team.

And assistant-manager Joe Gallen hailed the impact the duo have had so far.

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He said: ‘It was a really good team performance at Sunderland and Sean Raggett and Jack Whatmough have been fantastic so far all season.

‘You can't underestimate a centre-back partnership in terms of winning games.

‘You can talk about scoring goals and attacking players who get all the plaudits, but those two lads have been fantastic so far.

‘Sunderland maybe had a chance in the first 10 seconds of the second half when Chris Maguire took a touch when he perhaps could have shot.

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‘Apart from that, although we were defending in the first 20 minutes of the second half, I can't remember too many clear-cut chances

‘There are loads of ingredients in a successful team but a centre-half partnership is massive.

‘Jack and Sean have so far done that. They have been very, very solid and very good.’

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