Portsmouth skipper out to win another midfield war at Charlton Athletic as debt grows
Pompey continue to turn to their leader - and he continues to shine in the Championship.
John Mousinho vowed he’s got no concerns over again relying on Marlon Pack amid a gruelling Championship campaign.
Pompey are set to again turn to their skipper at Charlton Athletic, as his continuing importance to his club’s cause is underlined.
Mousinho on Pack’s fitness: ‘Why at that age he can step into the breach and play as well as he has done’
Pack is in line for his fifth start on the spin at The Valley, after coming right back into the heart of his team’s campaign after knee surgery.
The Buckland boy started three games in eight days last week at the age of 35, with his form impressing along the way.
Pompey have added to their midfield options this summer, with Rocco Shein a £2m arrival from Fredrikstad FK and Iyad Mohamed arriving from Casa Pia near the window’s climax.
It’s Pack who continues to deliver though, as the other new faces adjust to the demands of English football’s second tier.
Mousinho highlighted the League One champion’s outstanding conditioning as key to his ongoing importance, a factor the Pompey boss feels means he can continue to rely on his lieutenant.
He said: ‘The biggest challenge was probably the three-game week with Bristol City, Derby and Cardiff.
‘We’ve had a clear week after that to give Marlon a bit of rest and recuperation.
‘I don’t think the fitness aspect of it is ever a worry - Marlon is really, really fit.
‘His aerobic capacity is superb and he always comes back in very good shape in pre-season.
‘That probably goes to show why at that age he can step into the breach and play as well as he has done and perform at that level.’
Pack will likely go up against the likes of Conor Coventry and Olive Skipp in the middle of the park tomorrow, as he leads his team out at The Valley.
It’s another stiff test for the former Cardiff man, but Mousinho pointed to him faring favourably as he went toe to toe with the likes of impressive former Fratton midfielder Alex Robertson.
That was clear evidence in his eyes of Pack’s continuing credentials at Championship level.
He added: ‘Look at what he was faced with against Cardiff.
‘He was up against a midfield three of Robertson, Turnbull and Moylan was in there.
‘That is a very lively midfield, very technical and they move the ball very, very well.
‘So for Marlon to go and play as well as he did and nearly complete the full 90 minutes at the end of a three-game week was excellent.’