David Norris ponders Portsmouth change for player who’s had ‘some stick’
David Norris believes Portsmouth will begin to make key changes to their side if players do not perform in the next block of games.
The ex-Blues midfielder has noted John Mousinho may have given several of his squad the “benefit of the doubt” across a brutal batch of fixtures to start the season, from which Pompey did not pick up a win but earned a few dignified draws.
Now the outlook has changed after a monumental shocker at Stoke City, losing 6-1 with many players’ places in the team called into question with Oxford United at Fratton Park up next.
“Some of the players may have got the benefit of the doubt across the really tough fixtures, but there will come a point when there are a few changes,” Norris exclusively told Pompey News.
“That could be now or a bit further down the line – the club for instance signed an experienced goalkeeper from Austria and the current number one Will Norris is getting some stick.
“There is a big squad at Portsmouth despite injuries, and we could end up seeing a few more changes from Mousinho soon.”
Portsmouth have a goalkeeping dilemma
Alongside other key decisions which Mousinho must own concerning outfield players, the goalkeeping issue is split three ways.
Nicolas Schmid was signed from Austrian side Linz in the summer for an undisclosed fee, which looked to be a long-term commitment to adopting a new number one.
Schmid, 27, had agreed to the move having just helped his side to promotion to the top division in his homeland and arriving at Fratton Park will have been what he knew to be a risky decision.
Jordan Archer, an experienced Championship stopper, is third choice and while he may not have expected to come straight in and start between the sticks, will be seeking better than the pecking order status in which he finds himself.
Norris had a disastrous game at Stoke, but he was not alone, and has proven his worth with a string of superb saves against some of the EFL’s best opponents in the past two months – it is an interesting playing field for Mousinho.
In other Portsmouth news, Marlon Pack admits Saturday’s game is huge for this stage of the campaign.
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