Portsmouth captain Marlon Pack says the long wait for a win at the start of the season led to players “trying too hard” in desperation for a first victory.
Speaking to a special edition of BBC Radio Solent’s “Who Needs Mourinho?” podcast, Pack said the run of nine winless matches at the start of the season saw the pressure ramp up.
“It’s hard for me at this football club to try and play without any emotion,” the midfielder said.
“Sometimes your decision on when to press is not on but you’re just so determined to win.
“You end up… not playing out of character… but you try a little bit too hard instead of having a bit more focus and believing in what you’re trying to do.”
No complaints about being left out
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.”
A future Portsmouth manager?
Mousinho has said he could see Pack as a future manager of Portsmouth but the player himself isn’t so sure.
“I’ve got 3 kids, I’ve seen what it (management) does to people but I have a huge passion for the game,” he said.
“I’m under no illusions that I’d need to do the hard graft and work my way up. I definitely want to stay in the game and give something back to the football club.”
Pack has recently been helping coach his 10 year-old son’s team.
“It’s hard because I’m passionate so I’m drawing up sessions and watching his games back,” he said.
“It’s hard being a parent and being in football, half the time my son just wants me to be his dad!”