View: Ryley Towler must improve for Portsmouth after what happened against Middlesbrough
John Mousinho will be concerned by Ryley Towler’s performance for Portsmouth during their 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough on Saturday (24 August).
Pompey have drawn all three matches since their return to the EFL Championship.
However, supporters at Fratton Park will likely be pleased with those results considering how tough the fixtures have been thus far for their side.
Mousinho and his players have had to travel to Championship high-flyers Leeds and Middlesbrough while their home fixture came against Luton Town, who were playing their football in the Premier League last year.
And it doesn’t get any easier for Portsmouth, with Sunderland, West Brom and Burnley to come in their next three matches.
Therefore, Towler will need to show much more than he did against Middlesbrough if the Blues are to pick up their first win of the season in the coming weeks.
Ryley Towler struggles for Portsmouth against Middlesbrough
Towler was impressive in the 0-0 draw with Luton Town on Saturday (17 August), with his performance at the back a big reason that Portsmouth were able to keep a clean sheet.
That afternoon the 24-year-old made four clearances and two tackles while he also won 100 per cent of his ground duels (Sofascore).
In addition, he completed 87 per cent of his passes. Therefore, Mousinho would have been hoping to see the centre-back build on that display at the Riverside Stadium.
However, his performance was the complete opposite instead.
Although he won 100 per cent of his aerial duels, of the seven ground duels which he contested he only came out on top once. In addition, his passing wasn’t as accurate as it was against Luton, with the defender completing just 74 per cent of his passes on this occasion.
Furthermore, he was dribbled past four times and of the five long balls which he played, only one of those was accurate.
Pompey host top-of-the-table Sunderland at Fratton Park on Saturday (31 August), and if the hosts are to keep their visitors quiet, Mousinho will need Towler at his best.
Otherwise, it could be a tricky afternoon for Portsmouth.
In other Portsmouth news, Andre Dozzell has shared what Mousinho told him to sell him on a move to Fratton Park.
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