Portsmouth captain Marlon Pack explains losing Championship run

The 33-year-old found himself dropped from the Pompey starting XI following the defeat by Cardiff, something he had few complaints about.

“Naturally as a footballer you should be wanting to play every game and when you’re not playing you should be disappointed,” he said.

“But something did have to change. The gaffer had every right to try and find a winning formula.”

Pack says the squad were initially shocked when the relatively inexperienced John Mousinho was named head coach at Fratton Park in January 2023 but have been impressed with his pragmatism and approachability.

“Some managers can be so stubborn and fixated on their ideology and style of play but you’ve got to win games of football,” he added.

“Sometimes this year we’ve had to look a bit more short term.

“We’ve had conversations at times this season where he’s pulled the experienced lads in and said ‘what do you think?’ That’s a huge strength as ultimately we are the players on the pitch.”