John Mousinho issues challenge to ‘wasteful’ Sammy Silvera at Portsmouth
John Mousinho has challenged Sammy Silvera after admitting the Portsmouth loanee has been “wasteful” this season.
Silvera is set to report back to training on Friday [18 October] having been with Australia on international duty, not even named in the matchday squad for games against China and Japan.
Mousinho, speaking to The News [17 October], has given an honest review of the 23-year-old, borrowed for the season from Middlesbrough.
“There have been a couple of games where he’s looked our biggest attacking threat and there have probably been some games we haven’t quite seen that, so it’s just about getting that consistency with him,” he said.
“He’ll definitely improve. The most important thing for Sammy is to come away from games with goals and assists. I have seen everything but that in some of his better performances, where he’s looked a real threat coming in off the left and maybe slightly unlucky on a couple of occasions.
“He’s been slightly wasteful on a couple of other occasions when he’s had chances to cut in on his right foot in particular.
“What also has been difficult for Sammy is being away for the last two international breaks. As a result, getting that rhythm and flow of games is tough. I am sure that has played a part as well.”
Portsmouth have a lot of competition in wide areas
Portsmouth have suffered with considerable injury concerns so far this season, forcing Mousinho to consistently shuffle his pack and depriving the boss of his strongest team.
Silvera started the season excellently with terrific performances against both Leeds United and Luton Town but has struggled for that key consistency which has been nailed in further by his two round-trips to Australia in the past six weeks.
Aside from the visit to his parent club Middlesbrough for which he was ineligible, Silvera’s only full absence was when Mousinho elected not to use him from the bench in the last outing against Oxford United.
Josh Murphy, Matt Ritchie, Elias Sorensen, Harvey Blair, Paddy Lane, Christian Saydee and the recently injured Callum Lang have all been used as wide options by Mousinho, ensuring a wealth of competition for the Socceroos star.
Silvera will be looking to make an impact towards a first win when Pompey head to QPR on Saturday [19 October].
In other Portsmouth news, former EFL striker Sam Parkin assesses key absences in the squad.
For more Portsmouth news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.