Portsmouth faithful all say same thing as starting XI & bench named for game against Bristol City
John Mousinho has named his starting XI for today’s game against Bristol City at Fratton Park
Pompey fans on social media have been reacting to John Mouisnho’s starting XI for today’s game against Bristol City at Fratton Park.
The Blues boss has made three changes to the side that lost to Sheffield United in midweek, with Terry Devlin (suspended), Mark Kosznovszky and Florian Bianchini making way for Jordan Williams, captain Marlon Pack and Callum Lang.
Lang’s inclusion from the start is his first since picking up a hamstring injury against Norwich on August 16. But while his involvement from the beginning has been hugely welcomed by the Fratton faithful, it’s not the main talking point among fans on X.
Instead, it’s Mousinho’s decision to go with Pack and Andre Dozzell as his starting midfield for such an important game.
It’s the sixth time the head coach has gone for this particular partnership in his engine room this season - a pairing that has won one, drawn two and lost three when they’ve lined up together.
The duo last started together against Birmingham at the beginning of the month - a match that ended in a 4-0 defeat.
And according to these fans on social media, it’s a pairing that doesn’t work.
Here’s what fans on X have been saying since the Blues starting XI and bench for the game against Bristol City was named.
Fans react to Pompey starting line-up v Bristol City
@84Knight: Pack and Dozzell midfield pairing never fills me with confidence. It’s been tried so many times over the last couple of years and never comes off. Swift and Dozzell at the start of the season was when we had our best results, but we don’t seem to ever play them anymore.
@TomBeeson79317: Dozzell and Pack doesn't work! Both too slow to react and neither pick up second balls.
@olliejoell1606: 7mTime to Mehmetti to overrun our midfield then.
@TommoOnX: Stop playing Pack and Dozzell together IT DOES NOT WORK. Other than that fine.
@PompeyFlag: The Pack/Dozzell partnership didn't work for Pompey last season because Dozzell had to do the running for two midfielders that nullified his abilities. Let's hope things have been learnt from that awful experiment.
@sampfcx: Would’ve had Swift instead of Pack at home but don’t mind it.
@ollygrand__: Pack x Dozzell again. Great…
@Iain_Macdonald7: Pack and Dozzell well that’s the midfield overrun today, Pack will be chasing shadows all game.
@L2822511557531: PACK AND DOZZEL DOESNT WORK AND BISHOP STILL 14 GAMES WITHOUT A GOAL.
@Mtpfc7: Our midfield is so League One.