John Mousinho: All that matters for Portsmouth is winning says boss

John Mousinho became Portsmouth boss in January 2023

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho says all that matters at this stage of the season for the League One leaders is "winning".

Saturday's 2-1 win over Oxford United stretched Pompey's unbeaten run to nine matches.

Their 22nd victory of the season also maintained the seven-point gap between themselves and Derby in second and third-placed Bolton.

"It's an important win for us," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.

"The sign of a side that is going in the right direction is one that can grind out wins and score from different places with different players.

"Oxford can count themselves slightly unlucky to not come away with anything, all that matters at this stage of the season is winning."

Portsmouth took an early lead through January signing Callum Lang before Oxford equalised with a penalty in the sixth minute.

But a first League One goal from Christian Saydee after the break wrapped up the win and secured a fifth victory from their past six league matches.

New signing Lee Evans, who joined on a free transfer on Friday, was not in the squad, but Mousinho hinted the 29-year-old could play a crucial role in the final stretch of the campaign.

"I think everyone's quite excited about him signing," Mousinho added.

"He's hopefully going to be an option for us in the final seven to eight games.

"To bring in a player of that calibre at this stage of the season, with the experience of being promoted last season is a really good option."

Portsmouth next travel away to Blackpool on Saturday.