Headline: Portsmouth Faces Defensive Challenges Despite Strong Start to Season
Portsmouth’s head coach John Mousinho urged calmness while addressing the team’s recent struggles in defense. Early in the season, concerns have emerged as Pompey has allowed three quick goals in both of their opening matches, undermining promising starts. The game against QPR saw a notable collapse, although some outcomes were somewhat fortunate for the opposition.
The defensive line’s issues stem not only from the back four but also from the central midfield pairing of Rocco Shein and Ebou Adams. Both players typically excel with a more defensively minded partner, which Portsmouth has yet to secure. This dynamic leaves one of them needing to restrain their offensive instincts when playing alongside the other.
Nico Schmid’s performance has not matched the level seen in his debut season after suffering a hand injury during the previous South Coast derby. Questions lingered regarding his role leading up to QPR’s first goal. In goal, Joe Bursik had a solid season last year but is now set for an exit, leaving Daniel Bielica as an unknown factor.
In the left-back position, Zak Swanson proved more than a makeshift solution last season. He and Terry Devlin have both been working their way back from injuries. Swanson has yet to complete a full match this season, and Connor Ogilvie’s recent injury setback further emphasizes Portsmouth’s need for additional depth in this position.
Key defensive players Regan Poole and Conor Shaughnessy have both been crucial for Portsmouth. The team boasts just one league loss when both players complete a full match—yet the rarity of this occurrence, only nine times in the Championship, reflects ongoing injury troubles. Neither player has maintained their usual standards early in the season, and Mousinho remains uncertain whether Shaughnessy will feature consistently or be managed cautiously through mid-week matches to maintain fitness.
The competition for a starting position may hinge on the readiness of loanee Benji Arthur, while Madiodio Dia continues to adapt to Championship demands. Hayden Matthews is set to gain experience on loan in League One, and Josh Knight’s lack of impact may lead to his departure.
Despite the challenges, Mousinho is not ready to discount Shaughnessy or Poole. Shaughnessy’s injury history is noted, but when healthy, he often displays the capabilities of a top-half Championship center-back. Meanwhile, Poole’s resilience after recovering from a severe knee injury helped him become one of last season’s standout performers.
Mousinho acknowledges the need for improvements in the team’s defensive performance, especially following the issues seen in their first two matches.
Don’t over-react and panic but don’t sweep under the carpet what has happened. Not a direct quote from John Mousinho but the sentiment from his words this week. Both are accurate.
On paper, his defensive unit to start the season looked strong.
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In both games so far, Pompey have thrown away a promising start by conceding three quick goals. Against QPR it felt like an implosion, albeit there was a hint of fortune about the second and third goals.
It’s not entirely the fault of the back four and goalkeeper.
Rocco Shein and Ebou Adams are not an ideal central midfield partnership. Both would prefer to be accompanied by a more defensive player that Portsmouth still need to acquire. One of them will need to curb their natural instincts to get forward if they are to play together.
Nico Schmid hasn’t reached the heights of his first season since breaking his hand in the South Coast derby last season. There were question marks over him for QPR’s first goal. Joe Bursik was solid when he played last season but is set for the exit. Daniel Bielica is an unknown quantity.
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Zak Swanson looked more than a makeshift left-back last season. Both he and Terry Devlin have had to battle back from injury this summer. Swanson hasn’t been fit enough to play a 90 minutes so far. Connor Ogilvie’s latest injury setback highlights the need for another left-back. However, that was already on the cards.
Regan Poole and Conor Shaughnessy have been key players for Portsmouth, both as a pair and individually. Pompey have only ever lost one league match when they have both played the full 90 minutes. Although the fact they’ve only played the full match together nine times in the Championship highlights the injury issues both have had.
Neither have lived up to their usual high standards in the opening couple of matches. Mousinho remains non-committal on whether Shaughnessy will play every match or be rested for some mid-week games to try to keep him fully fit.
Whether Poole keeps his place in the team might be down to how ready loanee Benji Arthur is to start. Madiodio Dia remains a decent prospect but is adjusting to life in the Championship. Hayden Matthews looks likely to get some game time on loan in League One. Josh Knight has failed to make an impact and could depart.
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It would be foolish to write off Shaughnessy or Poole though. Shaughnessy’s injury issues are well documented, but he’s often looked like a top-half Championship centre-back when fit. Poole has battled back from a serious knee injury and a difficult start to life in the second tier to be one of the club’s top performers last season. His consistency was hugely impressive.
Mousinho doesn’t need to make drastic changes but he’s fully aware his side cannot defend like they have for periods in the opening two matches.
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