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John Mousinho says Pompey need to be adaptable as they venture into the unknown against "incredibly dangerous" Burnley on Saturday.
The Clarets are third-bottom and without a home win since 18 October, 2025, but parted ways with head coach Nicky Hayen following Saturday's dismal 4-1 capitulation at Lincoln.
Michael Jackson was set to be in interim charge for the visit of Pompey - unbeaten in four games from which they have earned 10 points - but on Wednesday Swiss coach Fabio Celestini was appointed to the Turf Moor hotseat.
After the trip to Lancashire, Portsmouth host Swansea on Tuesday and Stoke on 7 November ahead of the two-week international break, and Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent: "These weeks in the Championship are very important - there are nine points to play for.
"It's really important we try to finish off this block of games with some positive results, and we have got to be fully focused at the weekend.
"We have to do our best to try and figure out how we think they are going to play - the players don't change, the style might a bit. We have to make sure we adapt on the day."
Mousinho said he was "really surprised" at the Clarets early-season struggles, adding: "I expected them to be right up there, as I think everyone did.
"They are still an incredibly dangerous side, particularly after changing the manager and freshening things up - you usually you get a reaction from the players and a different reaction from everyone at Turf Moor, so it's going to be an interesting day for us."
Mousinho said winger Josh Murphy and central defender Conor Shaughnessy could be involved at Turf Moor, depending how they recover from their return to full training.
Murphy has missed 10 games, while Shaughnessy has missed five, and Mousinho said: "I'm fairly confident Josh Murphy will be available. We thought there might be a chance last week. He hadn't recovered enough from training for us to put him on the bench against Millwall. The signs are ok.
"It's exactly the same with Conor Shaughnessy - we'll see as he settles down."