‘It might be that way’: Portsmouth boss makes Charlton Athletic prediction with stakes high for showdown
It’s a significant Championship game for both teams this afternoon on Sky Sports.
John Mousinho is readying Pompey for a blood and thunder showdown as he gears his side up for a high-stakes Charlton Athletic clash.
The Blues boss believes Nathan Jones’ men will ‘fancy it’ at home against his struggling side, as they go to The Valley aiming to kickstart their season.
Charlton will ‘fancy it’
Mousinho’s men desperately need to arrest a run of a single win in nine league games, as they fell into the Championship bottom three last weekend.
Meanwhile, Charlton have lost four on the spin to curtail their impressive start to the campaign after promotion via the League One play-offs.
Mousinho has made no attempt to play down the significance of the trip to the capital, at the start of three games in eight days against sides in and around them in the table.
The head coach branded the period ‘potentially season defining’, with his side aiming to produce the spark which can see their form catch fire.
With Jones’ outfit offering similar combative and high-tempo traits to Pompey as his side have adapted to the Championship, Mousinho sees the clash being one where both teams will be keen to show their mettle.
Mousinho said: ‘I think it could be (a blood and thunder game), quite possibly.
‘Whenever you go to The Valley and play a Nathan Jones side, you expect a really committed opponent. I expect the same from our boys, so it might be that way.
‘They were terrific towards the back end of last year and, when I say that, I mean the final four or five months.
‘They didn’t actually start that well, but they ended that League One campaign with a brilliant defensive record and barely conceded a goal.
‘They had a tilt at going up automatically, but that was a step too far with the momentum Wrexham and Birmingham built up.
‘But they were fully deserving of going up and were in the top six this season and showed they are a very, very threatening side.
‘They have the same players and have that same way of playing.
‘They’re probably a bit similar to us probably, scratching their heads and thinking how’s that (recent results) happened?
‘They defeated Ipswich 3-0, then more recently have lost heavily to Southampton and a couple of other sides.
‘So I’m sure there’s some head scratching when you haven’t changed your approach, but overall they are a very competitive side and I’m sure they will fancy it at home against us.’