Fans favourite Ebou Adams has started just three of Pompey’s games in all competitions this season to date

Ebou Adams remains ‘fundamental’ to Pompey’s ambitions this season.

That’s the verdict of The News’ Jordan Cross, who believes the Blues midfielder continues to have an important part to play for John Mousinho’s side, despite starting just two of Pompey’s seven Championship games to date.

Adams has proven an inspired signing since he was lured from divisional rivals Derby County in January for £500,000.

The 30-year-old made an instant impression on the Fratton faithful by scoring an all-important equaliser against bitter rivals Southampton on his PO4 debut.

He then proved to be a central protagonist in the Blues’ successful battle against relegation, starting 13 games in a row before an MCL injury picked up against QPR ruled the Gambia international out for four games.

Adams made a timely return to help Pompey all but confirm their Championship when Leicester visited PO4 on April 18, with some supporters at the time contemplating naming him their player of the season before Terry Devlin overwhelmingly claimed that honour.

The fans’ favourite was expected to kick on further this season, regardless of the midfield reinforcements sanctioned by Mousinho over the summer.

Yet despite featuring in all eight games Pompey have contested so far this term, including the Carabao Cup game at West Ham, Adams has started just three.

His last start came in the defeat against former club Derby, with Mousinho opting for Marlon Pack and Rocco Shein as his preferred engine room pairing for the fixtures against Cardiff and Charlton.

To subscribe to The Portsmouth News’ Pompey coverage and more click here

Cross believes the head coach’s wish to retain the ball better and to play through opponents more explains that selection.

However, he maintains Adams still has an important role to play for Pompey and will once again have proven himself as a key figure come the end of the season.

Speaking in the latest episode of Pompey Talk, Cross said: ‘I think Ebou Adams has a big role to play for Pompey this season, there’s absolutely no doubt about that.

‘I think it's just horses for courses at the moment. Obviously, Pompey have tried to evolve slightly.

‘He's had some disappointing performances this season, at home as well early on, and I think it was justified in him coming out of the side.

‘But, probably, maybe there might be a bit of a clue in terms of how Pompey are trying to evolve under John.

‘You go back to how he spoke extensively about trying to play a bit differently and play through sides at Bristol City.

‘That may be a bit of a nod to trying to keep hold of the control of games a bit more, which is probably what Rocco Shein is supposed to be there for.

‘Maybe that's not Ebou Adams’ forte. He's more rock and roll football, get in there!

‘He has come back in, and actually, there's been some really important displays from him off the bench as well, so I just think it's probably horses for courses slightly at the moment.

‘But when we're sitting here at the end of the season, I think we'll probably see Ebou Adams playing a lot of football for Pompey and playing quite a fundamental role in how the season goes.’

For your next Pompey read: Portsmouth v Blackburn Rovers: 1 change in Jordan Cross' predicted line-up for Fratton showdown