'Improved year-on-year' - Portsmouth boss gives Bolton verdict

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho says Saturday’s trip to Wanderers is “a massive occasion” for both clubs.

A victory would see Pompey crowned champions following Derby’s goalless draw at Wycombe on Wednesday night.

Bolton are also looking to profit from the Rams’ slip-up and are now two points behind Paul Warne’s side with a game in hand.

Mousinho knows how important Saturday’s fixture is for the Whites but hopes Pompey can “finish the job” in front of a bumper crowd at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

“We have got a really tough test on our hands because Bolton are thinking about exactly the same thing,” he told The News.

“I think it is going to be a great occasion for both sets of fans to welcome the first and the third placed teams in the league to a massive stadium on a massive occasion.

“The most important thing for us is to keep focused and try to finish the job.”

Ian Evatt’s men enter the game on the back of victories against Reading and Bristol Rovers to keep their promotion push alive.

When asked if this is as a tough a test as they will face, Mousinho replied: “I think so. They have been in fantastic form all season. They are a side that has improved year-on-year when they have been in this league.

“They are on a decent run of form at the moment. They have got threats all over the pitch and they have scored a lot of goals this year.

“They are very well coached and it is always going to be a difficult game when you go up to Bolton particularly in these circumstances when Bolton are playing for promotion themselves.

“We expect a really tough test and a really good game of football.”

Wanderers were beaten 2-0 when the sides met at Fratton Park earlier in the season after goals from Conor Shaughnessy and Kusini Yengi either side of half time.