View: John Mousinho must stand by Freddie Potts v Oxford United as Stoke City thrash Portsmouth
John Mousinho should stand by Freddie Potts after Portsmouth were thrashed 6-1 by Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday (2 October).
It has been an incredibly difficult start to the season for Pompey. However, after their 0-0 draw with Sheffield United at Fratton Park (28 September), it felt like a corner had perhaps been turned.
Although they were winless in the EFL Championship, they had faced some tough matches, playing six of the Championship’s current top seven in their first seven games.
Therefore, off the back of a positive defensive performance against the Blades, Mousinho’s side would have had some confidence travelling to Stoke for what was their easiest league fixture of the season on paper so far.
Stoke were 20th and had lost five times in the league heading into the clash with Portsmouth, compared to Pompey’s three defeats. However, it turned out to be Portsmouth’s most miserable defeat of the campaign, as Stoke City put six past a dejected-looking Portsmouth.
After such a worrying defeat, and off the back of some rather poor performances from a few individuals, Mousinho will likely make changes against Oxford United at Fratton Park on Saturday (5 October).
However, one player he needs to stick by is midfielder Potts, who left the bet365 stadium with some credit to his name after his performance in the middle of the park.
Freddie Potts must start for Portsmouth v Oxford United
Potts, who is on loan at Fratton Park from West Ham United, is only 21 years old. However, he was one of the few Portsmouth players on Wednesday who put in a mature-looking performance.
He has started Pompey’s last three Championship matches, his first three appearances for the club, and impressed throughout.
As per Sofascore, in the goalless draw with Sheffield United, he succeded with 100 per cent of his dribbles, won three ground duels, and made two interceptions and one tackle.
And despite the result against Stoke, in terms of his individual performance, Potts arguably played better than he did against Chris Wilder’s side.
Overall he completed 84 per cent of his passes against Stoke, with 80 per cent of his long balls accurate. In addition, he completed one dribble and won five of his eight ground duels.
Finally, he made three tackles, one interception and blocked one shot.
While it wasn’t the most extraordinary performance, considering the circumstances, it was pretty impressive. Therefore, when Oxford United travel to Fratton Park on Saturday, Mousinho should stand by Potts.
He has been one of Portsmouth’s shining lights over the past few weeks, and dropping him now wouldn’t do his confidence any good.
In other Portsmouth news, David Norris has shared a “worrying” admission as injury news emerges.
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