‘Can’t speak highly enough’: Huge Portsmouth favourite details key John Mousinho attraction behind new agreement

Zak Swanson has lauded John Mousinho for his impressive Fratton Park rise.

And the highly-rated right-back has identified the head coach as a key reason for extending his south-coast stay.

The 25-year-old penned a new two-year deal at the end of June, taking his Blues career into a fifth season.

Swanson enjoyed his best campaign to date last term, racking up 35 appearances as Pompey finished 18th in the Championship - the most outings in a single season since his 2022 arrival.

That has been largely down to the ex-Arsenal man’s availability, which has seen him put his injury issues firmly behind him to become a mainstay in the backline.

John Mousinho key reason behind Zak Swanson’s new Pompey deal

Mousinho explained earlier this week that clarity over his future was paramount behind Swanson penning a fresh terms at PO4

And the right-back has returned the praise, hailing the Blues boss for transforming him into an established Championship operator.

Speaking in an interview with the club’s official website, the 25-year-old said: ‘A big part of it (improving) has been the gaffer.

‘He’s helped me a lot, he’s made me a lot more robust, I’ve stayed fit a lot more, been able to get on the pitch more and that’s been the main thing.

‘In my first two seasons here I wasn’t available enough and he made a massive point to me about availability being the biggest attribute you can have.

‘The last two years I’ve really shown that and being able to kick on, being able to play a run of games is a lot of help for a lot of players. I’ve been able to show my ability.

‘It’s been different in the Championship but I think my ability is coming through and I want to go to a new level now.

‘Obviously being here gives me that confidence to do that.

‘I can’t speak highly enough of him on a personal note for what he’s done in my time here and for my career he’s been amazing.

‘Working with him day in day out is obviously a joy and I hope he says the same thing about me.’

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Pompey praise for head coach

Swanson was utilised on either flank last term as injuries and availability affected the Blues’ backline, with the League One title winner transforming himself at left-back.

And the defender has highlighted Mousinho’s relentless work as a key reason behind his rise in form over the past 12 months.

‘Technically and tactically as well I’ve probably gone to a new level, especially being in the Championship I think you have to.

‘It was either sink or swim for a lot of lads when we got promoted and this is the place I wanted to be at under the gaffer here.

‘I wanted to improve that side of the game massively and I think I’ve done that.

‘I think I’m a good technical player so that wasn’t the part I was struggling with, it was the availability and the tactical side of the game about adapting to a new league, adapting to a new way of playing for us.

‘In League One we had a lot more joy whereas a lot more games now it’s a different game for us.

‘Tactically he’s been massive. We’ve had to adapt to a lot of games and he’s been key for that for me.’

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