Pompey salvage draw but Mousinho warns against ‘cheap’ giveaways
Adrian Segecic’s 79th-minute equaliser set up a frantic end to Portsmouth’s clash with Watford, but the closing stages left the Fratton Park crowd on edge as the Hornets repeatedly threatened on the counter.
John Mousinho has dismissed fears that Pompey cannot cope with fast breaks, instead stressing that his players must avoid gifting possession away so easily. Watford’s two goals both came early in the second half from quick transitions – the first just 26 seconds after the restart following a stray John Swift pass, and the second after poor defending down the right flank.
“We largely had control of the game apart from when they caught us on the break,” Mousinho told The News. “Watford’s pace and athleticism is their biggest strength, while we have different qualities. The real concern is giving the ball away cheaply – that’s what opened us up.”
The Blues boss admitted his side had to take risks in search of a winner but warned that loose play left them exposed. “We wanted to push for the win, but when you don’t secure possession properly, they’ll punish you. There’s a balance between being safe and being brave in the final third.”
Despite Pompey looking more vulnerable than their visitors, Mousinho insisted there were positives, though he was frustrated to come away with only a point. “We need to be smarter with the ball, cut out the mistakes, and make sure we block off the counter-attack,” he added.
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