Pack: “I think the lads grasp what it means to the city”

Pompey captain Marlon Pack speaks with Express FM’s David Howes ahead of Sunday’s South Coast Derby.

Pack will be looking to lead the side he’s supported his entire life out onto the pitch on Sunday, in Portsmouth’s third meeting in the space of a year, with Southampton.

The 35-year-old, who is now into his fifth full season at his boyhood club, will be hopeful that this time he can start in a derby, after being named on the bench in the last 2.

Heading into Sunday, it will be the first time the two sides have featured in Championship action in over three weeks, following the first instalment of the new international break format.

On the break, Marlon said: “It has been weird, one that is hard to get any rhythm.

“Naturally we had a bulk period off after the Blackburn game, and then after that it has been business as usual, in terms of training.

“It's been a little bit harder with a smaller group; the coaching staff has found that balance of being able to get rest and some physical work in, as it's quite a large period of time without a game.”

Pack missed the first two games of this season due to a knee injury, but returned to the side in the Blues' 3-1 win away at Lincoln City.

“Obviously you want to play week in, week out, and at the age I’m at there will be an exception to player, and in myself there always will be.

“There is always that hunger and desire to want to play, and I think when you start losing that, you have to question yourself as a professional footballer.

“It has been great to come in from Lincoln and stay in the team, and give what I can from a playing perspective.

“But my role and how I approach things does not really change whether I’m starting or not; it's always been how I can add value to the group.”

Earlier in the week, the club announced the return of 2023/24 League One Title winner Joe Morrell, this time in a coaching capacity as first-team development coach.

“Really pleased for Joe as a friend; he retired at such a young age off the back of a successful period for us.

“I always enjoyed playing in midfield with him; I think for the football club it's a really good appointment.

“He will become a really good football coach. I have seen what he can deliver; I have seen his sessions, and we have constantly stayed in contact since he left.

"I have no doubt that he will be a success here, and I think all the players, especially the young and upcoming players, have got Joe to lean on.

“He is someone who has played in all of the divisions, international football, and he knows what the players are feeling not just mentally but also physically.”

And speaking on what it means to be captain heading into a south coast derby, Marlon said: “Going off past experiences from last season, giving that input as a Pompey lad.

“What it has been like watching in the stands, what it's been like before the game, after the game, on the streets.

“The boys that have been here even for a season or a period will understand, because what is that game you look for when the fixture list comes out, it's this game.

“It's what people talk to you about in the shopping centre, when you are doing your food shop, bump into people on the streets.

“And in this break we have had, all people have said is, 'Are you looking forward to the game?' Constantly.

“For us as a football club and me as a local lad, I have an obligation to pass on that knowledge and lead by example.”