Portsmouth boss’ huge billing for what’s at stake ahead of Charlton Athletic, Swansea City and Blackburn Rovers showdowns
The Pompey boss has taken steps to underline the significance of the next three Championship games for his side.
John Mousinho believes Pompey are entering a three-game week which could potentially define their season.
The Blues boss has laid it on the line what’s at stake as his side go to Charlton Athletic this weekend, with trips to Swansea City and a home clash with Blackburn Rovers to follow.
Mousinho: ‘In a lot of ways season defining’
Pompey are aiming to arrest a run of one win in nine, after they fell into the Championship drop zone following last weekend’s disappointing home reverse against Bristol City.
Their first test is against a Charlton side who’ve fallen down the table off the back four defeats on the spin, with the significance of the clash not lost on the Londoners. Then it’s a trip to south Wales to face a Swansea side who’ve lost five on the spin and are winless in seven.
Pompey boss: ‘That’s what makes it a much bigger week.’
Blackburn, who currently sit 18th, arrive at PO4 to complete the three games in eight days, with Mousinho believing the period can shape the season for his side.
He said: ‘It’s a massive week, absolutely massive week - and in a lot of ways season defining.
‘Yes (that has been his message to his players). I think we’re six points off Charlton, I think we’re level on points with Swansea and I think, after last night’s result, we’re four points off Blackburn.
‘These are sides we have to compete with and we have to try to close the gap and reel in. That’s why these next three games are so big.
‘I might be wrong, but it feels like it’s the first time we’ve played three games in a week against sides that aren’t promotion contenders and are in and around us in the table.
‘Pre-season you may have looked at it and thought, those home games against Preston and Millwall we need to be competitive in, because they’re going to be sides in and around us in the table. They’re both in the top six at the minute.
Pompey go into the weekend fixtures six points adrift of Nathan Jones’ side, with goal difference keeping Swansea above them in the table. Blackburn sit four points above the Blues. The sides’ proximity to Pompey in tandem with the form of his side, increases the significance of the games to Mousinho.
He added: ‘I think all the games are important, but if you look at the Charlton one in isolation versus some of the games we’ve played this year, if we get a positive result at Charlton we pull them to within three points of us.
‘I think we essentially drag them closer to where we are and make things more competitive. The same goes for Swansea and the same goes for Blackburn.
‘Against other sides we’ve played we haven’t had the opportunity to do that. So we might pick up a result, but it doesn’t close the gap significantly.
‘I also think it’s about the league position. Swansea are struggling, Charlton are struggling and I’m surprised by Blackburn’s points tally, because every time I see them they’re really good. I think that’s probably what makes it a much bigger week.’