Exclusive:Lincoln 1 Portsmouth 3: Neil Allen's verdict - Replacing the irreplaceable proving an impossible mission
The Blues claimed their first win of the season at Sincil Bank on Saturday, ending a run of successive defeats
An irreplaceable player who absolutely must be replaced, it’s quite the paradox for Pompey.
There have been close calls, namely Jesper Ceesay, when an eligibility appeal to the FA proved unsuccessful, yet the clock continues ticking. Now 10 days of the transfer window remain to find Marlon Pack’s successor.
Turning 36 before the season is over, there is little expectation of the Buckland boy establishing himself as a regular starter in a Championship campaign focussed on progress. And rightly so.
After all, in a summer during which owners Tornante have overseen spending levels never before witnessed since departing the Premier League in 2010, the Blues should no longer be reliant on a player just five years John Mousinho’s junior as their midfield linchpin.
The problem is they still haven’t managed to find an heir apparent blessed with the capability to dictate play from the number six role, while possessing natural leadership skills to inspire the team.
As a consequence, having been back in full training all week following a clean-up operation to his knee and just 45 minutes of pre-season friendly action, Pompey once again reverted to type and turned to the ageless Pack.
’It’s very difficult to replace that’
It was fitting he took the place of Luke Le Roux in the Lincoln squad. Once trumpeted as a central-midfield rival, the South African has become surplus to requirements and instead was present at Sincil Bank serving as 21st man.
Whereas Pack was restored to the starting XI and produced a high-calibre display which drove the Blues to their first victory of the 2026-27 campaign, earning him the Sky Bet Man of the Match in the process.
Now entering a fifth successive season in this second Fratton Park spell, a suitable challenger has still to emerge. On the flip slide, the 35-year-old skipper continues to put in pivotal performances.
‘It’s tough because if you are looking for what Marlon gives us as captain, it’s very difficult to replace that,’ Mousinho told The News after Saturday’s 3-1 success.
‘It’s very difficult to replace his physical dominance as well. For such a good player, he is also extremely competitive, wins his tackles, wins his headers and, ultimately, going back to that first point - and I have spoken about this consistently over the past three years - he’s like having a coach on the pitch.
‘With the way we have been over the past couple of weeks, we’ve had really good performances for 20-40 minutes, while we are lacking a bit of leadership centrally at times, which is hard.
‘With a captain as a centre-forward, Colby gives us a huge amount, like he did on Saturday, I thought he was excellent. Sometimes it’s difficult if we are defending deep and we need to get out of the back line and we need to get it out of the midfield. Marlon gives us that.
‘With everywhere we have been - and knowing what influence he has on the side - it was an easy decision to pick him for Lincoln. He’s coming towards the back end of his career, but he is still putting in those performances which have been as good as I’ve seen him through his entire career.
‘We’re looking for another number six, I still think it’s worth having a back up and also someone who can come in and push and compete if there are injuries, if there are drops in form. We need a solid squad’.
One of three changes for Pompey
Pack replaced Ebou Adams as one of three changes and was positioned a little behind Rocco Shein in the centre of midfield as the Blues ran out 3-1 winners against Lincoln.
Following successive defeats, pressure - and criticism - were building on the Blues, yet the impressive Ryan Kavuma-McQueen handed them a welcome seventh-minute lead with a smart angled finish from Abu Kamara’s pass.
Kamara was also involved in the second on 16 minutes, winning a free-kick just outside the penalty area which was crashed home by Adrian Segecic to make it 2-0, albeit deflecting off Conor McGrandles in the wall.
Lincoln were celebrating their first second-tier home match since 1961 and pulled a goal back when Zak Swanson handled Adam Reach’s shot, with Reeco Hackett converting the penalty.
However, on 69 minutes, substitute Ebou Adams crashed a right-footed 25-yard rocket past George Wickens and the Blues’ season was up and running.
Remarkably, five weeks earlier Pack had undergone a knee operation and was marking his first start since facing Leicester City on April 18. The veteran remains priceless to Pompey - and the long-running hunt for a worthy successor drags on.
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