Tactical Analysis: Right Side Revolution
Breaking Down John Mousinho's Tactical Tweak To Bring A Greater Threat To The Blues
During the 2024/25 season, Portsmouth Head Coach John Mousinho referred to an evolution of his teams playing style was to come.
Through pre-season, it has been clear to see one tactical tweak that the gaffer has made.
Connor Ogilvie operating from left-back last season, had begun to regularly execute underlapping runs, bursting into the opposition 18-yard box & becoming a real threat from Josh Murphy’s whipped deliveries. Most notably, netting at Bramall Lane.
Mousinho has appeared very keen to replicate that threat from the teams right hand side of the field moving into the new season. With much of the attacking burden being carried by the brilliant Josh Murphy, Mousinho is keen that his team carry a greater threat from both flanks.
The soon to be departed Matt Ritchie would most regularly invert from the right-wing position when The Blues were building attacks, putting emphasis on the likes of Terry Devlin, Zac Swanson & Jordan Williams to accelerate on the overlap for crossing opportunities. This is reflected on the average positions taken from Portsmouth’s dominant away victory over Norwich at Carrow Road.
With the Gosport-born Ritchie being told his game time is likely to reduce this year, it seems that the stark news delivered to the 35-year old is likely down to a change in style, as well as father time catching up with him.
Looking at the pre-season outing vs Reading, it was clear to see the new plan of action for Pompey’s right hand side bearing fruit from the first whistle.
Jordan Williams was able to get himself on the scoresheet as a result of burst from the right back role, all made possible by the width maintained by Callum Lang.
With Lang peeling wider as the play progresses, the space is left for Williams to expose Reading’s high defensive line, resulting in the first goal of the game.
Another example of the Portsmouth right hand side tweak to bring a greater forward threat can be seen in the image below. With possession having been built into the final third of the pitch, Callum Lang is once again maintaining width for The Blues with ‘chalk on his boots’. Williams is able to involve himself in the build-up & from feeding Lang the ball out wide, he is able to get himself into the box, increasing the teams goal threat.
Pompey’s left hand side cohort of Josh Murphy & Connor Ogilvie were able to forge an excellent partnership & understanding last term, with full back able to keep the winger isolated 1v1 with opposition full backs on countless occasions. Pompey’s number 3 would then drive towards the box, even getting a goal at Bramall Lane & coming close on a few other occasions with similar movement.
Last seasons free transfer from Oxford provided 14 assists for his team mates as Portsmouth secured Championship status. With Head Coach John Mousinho looking to replicate a similar setup on both flanks, there is a high possibility that Murphy’s output for the coming season may even increase further.
With Ogilvie & Murphy linking up on the left side following an underlap from the full back when building possession from the back, Callum Lang from his right wing berth is able to be direct in attacking the far post. Meaning 3 Blues players within the proximity of the danger area, with new boy Segecic backing up on the edge of the box.
Despite clearing the crossbar with the effort on goal that comes from the cross, it is a sight not seen too often last season, due to role being deployed predominantly by Matt Ritchie.
The new approach will have greater challenges throughout the season, especially in transition when Portsmouth face high quality opposition. With the holding midfield 2 being tested with their positional sense & ability to cut out danger.
If Pompey can create greater output from both sides of the pitch, Colby Bishop will be mightily excited in what it can do for his own goal tally.