We want to play exciting football, not predictable and direct – Fratton boss
John Mousinho admitted he needs fan support to deliver his Pompey vision.
And the Blues’ boss acknowledged his side have to find the right balance between ‘meaningful and meaningless possession’, as he bids to produce an attractive brand of football.
The target is clear for Mousinho ahead of his first full campaign at Fratton Park.
The 37-year-old wants to deliver success on a foundation of attractive football next term.
It’s not always gone to plan so far, with supporters registering their displeasure on occasions at efforts at progressive build-up play. Mousinho accepted his brand of football is a work in progress, but is keen to avoid a route one approach.
He said: ‘It’s really important and we do have to get the balance right between meaningful and meaningless possession – we’re aware of that.
‘One of the frustrating things about the Oxford game (a 1-1 away draw last month) was we felt we kept the ball really well in spells, but when we did go forward and break the lines we didn’t take advantage and came back too much.
‘Watching the game back, we moved the ball really well for eight, nine 10 passes and got into good positions where we could have gone forward – then didn’t.
‘So, yes, we would like to be positive but sometimes you have to be patient around the back or be patient and not progress in terms of field position.
‘When you do get the opportunities, we have to start breaking lines and get more crosses and shots off. That’s one thing we didn’t do particularly well against Oxford.
‘There are going to be times, particularly at Fratton, when teams sit in and make things difficult for us. We have to deal with that as an entire club to do well.
‘What we want to do is play exciting, attacking front-footed football definitely, but we don’t want to be direct and predictable.
‘It would be very easy for us to say we’re going to put two centre-forwards on and we’re goingverydirectandlong.That would be a very different style andtherewouldn’tbeanyfrustration in terms of playing out from the back.
‘I hope the fans want a mix and we want to try to get to that, but we’re still really early in what we’re trying to do.’