Portsmouth boss addresses Ebou Adams fitness fears after Derby County arrival’s phenomenal start to Fratton career
There’s fears over the key Pompey signing’s form dipping over the coming weeks. John Mousinho explains why he doesn’t think that will be the case, as Ebou Adams observes Ramadan.
John Mousinho has backed Ebou Adams to continue his flying Pompey form as he observes Ramadan.
The Blues boss is confident the midfielder’s driving force in the middle of the park can be maintained, as he fasts through the important religious period for Muslims.
Outstanding Pompey man can excel through Ramadan
And Mousinho is confident Adams can actually draw strength from his Islamic beliefs, as he doesn’t consume food or water throughout daylight hours.
The period of Ramadan started on February 17 and runs until March 19, covering a seven-game period from last week’s win at Charlton Athletic until Derby visit Fratton Park on March 16.
There are obvious concerns about how that could affect Adams’ game, with the £500,000 signing’s energy and drive a major factor in his side’s upturn in Championship fortunes.
But, as a practising Muslim and professional footballer, Mousinho feels the 30-year-old knows how to maintain performance while observing the period.
Mousinho said: ‘The important thing for Ebou is that he’s done it for a number of years now - he knows his own body and he knows how to handle it.
‘I don’t think it makes it any easier, but there’s an element where you’ll see some Muslim players excel in their performances through this period. Ebou can definitely be one of them.
Mousinho on Adams: ‘He knows his body and how to handle it’
‘I’ve spoken to Ebou about it and I spoke to Adil (Aouchiche) about it last year. We’ve always had at least one player in this position since that first season.
‘In League One it was Abu (Kamara) and Myles (Peart-Harris). Last year it was Adil and this year it’s Madiodio (Dia) and Ebou.
‘The players can often take a huge amount of strength from what is a real journey for them, in terms of discipline and being able to have that dedication.
‘For us, in the first days, it has been a real positive and he’s looked stronger for it.
‘Maybe he just ran out of gas a bit towards the end at Wrexham. That’s completely normal (after three away games in eight days) but we’re really confident over him.’
Mousinho explained Adams will be given assistance from Pompey’s sports science department through Ramadan, to ensure he gets the maximum nutritional intake possible while fasting.
He added: ‘You have to be careful. On Tuesday, Ebou could break the fast at 5.42pm - just before we got on the coach to go to Wrexham.
‘He’d not had anything to eat since sunrise, but you can’t just say you’re going to stuff your face and then try to play a football game two hours’ later. So it’s a challenge, but Ebou is very good at it.
‘He’s experienced in doing it and we’re working with the sports science team to make sure we guide him through.
‘We played Derby in March 2024 and we had a period in the game where we paused, so Ebou (Adams) and Abu (Kamara) could take on liquids and a couple of (energy) gels.
‘I remember that night thinking it hadn’t affected either player - Abu scored and Ebou was brilliant. So I think it can give players real strength.’