View: John Mousinho must axe 20% Portsmouth man after what he did v Oxford United
John Mousinho must consider dropping Elias Sorensen when Portsmouth travel to Loftus Road to take on QPR on 19 October.
Pompey are still searching for their first win in the EFL Championship. Since returning to the second tier of English football, they have drawn five matches and lost four, while also being knocked out of the Carabao Cup.
As a result, it has been over five months since the club last won a competitive game of football. Therefore, supporters at Fratton Park would have been desperate for a win against Oxford United on Saturday (5 October).
They could only manage a 1-1 draw in the end. However, having lost 6-1 to Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium the Wednesday (2 October) prior, Mousinho would have likely taken the point to get some confidence back in his side.
The Portsmouth boss made a big selection decision by dropping Will Norris against Oxford United following the goalkeeper’s poor display against Stoke, proving he has it in him to drop players when necessary.
Therefore, he must do something similar once again and axe Sorensen for the trip to QPR after the forward’s underwhelming display against Oxford United.
John Mousinho to axe Elias Sorensen for Portsmouth v QPR?
Sorensen has started three matches and made three further appearances from the bench in the Championship this season. However, when Pompey take on QPR, the 25-year-old should be let out entirely.
He made the worst possible start against Oxford United, missing an early penalty for the home side which might have changed the complexion of the match.
However, it wasn’t just the penalty miss which let him down. Players miss penalties, it happens, but his overall display was a clear sign that he shouldn’t be starting against QPR.
As per Sofascore, while the forward completed 75 per cent of his passes with one of those key, his one attempted cross into the box was inaccurate.
In addition, Sorensen missed two big chances, including the penalty miss, which might have helped Portsmouth to their first three points of the season.
He was successful with just one of his three attempted dribbles, while he also won just 20 per cent of his ground duels and only two of his eight duels in the air.
Sorensen gave possession of the ball away 16 times, committed one foul and was dribbled past once.
Therefore, it is clear that Mousinho needs to try something different if he wants to get his attack firing.
What that something different is remains to be seen. However, the Portsmouth boss has plenty of time to work it out during the ongoing October international break.
In other Portsmouth news, the club’s academy continue to show resilience with another win.
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