'It doesn't matter what teams around us are doing'
Portsmouth have only picked up a single point from their past four Championship games
- Published
John Mousinho says Portsmouth players must focus on their own results in the Championship relegation battle, but concedes the pressure is ramping up heading into the final 10 games of the season.
Pompey host Derby on Monday looking to get back to winning ways having picked up just one point from four games – a run which has left them two points clear of a resurgent Oxford United in the final relegation spot.
Portsmouth were also involved in a tense battle at the bottom last season as they looked to stave off relegation but Mousinho says the only lesson his players can learn from that campaign is that they must ignore the noise around them and focus on themselves.
"I think the situation this season is unique because of the nature of the squad that we have at the moment, it is different to what it was last year and the league is different as well," he said.
"the only thing that matters is how many points we accumulate and everything else around us is irrelevant.
"I know everyone watches other results and everyone has a keen eye on what is going on with the teams around us but it doesn't actually matter, we need to pick up the points.
"If we pick up enough points, we'll be fine and it doesn't matter what the other sides do if we don't pick up enough points, so I think the most important lesson is just to focus on ourselves.
"The pressure should always be on and it is to a certain extent. When it comes down to the last 10 games of the season there are only a certain number of points to play for then and it does feel a bit different, particularly when we are going into this period where we have two games before the break then two games after the break in quick succession as well.
"In a lot of ways that can be season defining."
John Mousinho: Poole and Shaughnessy available
Mousinho, who expects to have Regan Poole and Conor Shaughnessy available to face Derby, admits he has been impressed with the Rams this season.
"They have been good this year, really good, pushing for the play-offs," he said.
"They have had some very impactful signings over the summer but they have built since that League One campaign where we were neck and neck.
"They have bought very well and kicked on this year and are deservedly pushing for the play-offs."
