Jordan Archer makes ‘justice’ admission after making full Portsmouth debut vs Sheffield Wednesday
Jordan Archer thought he did himself “justice” on his Portsmouth debut despite being gutted by the defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on Friday (25 October).
The goalkeeper arrived in the summer on a free transfer and while he brings Championship experience, he has been consigned to third choice for much of the season so far behind Nicolas Schmid and Will Norris.
With Norris injured and Schmid forced off during the first half on Tuesday night against Cardiff City [22 October], Archer came on and made some astute saves to keep the score down before being handed his first start against the Owls on Friday [25 October] in a match Pompey lost 2-1 having led at the break at Fratton Park.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent’s Andy Moon [25 October], the 31-year-old said: “Football can change extremely quickly, so you have to keep on working hard and keep your mindset strong.
“I thought I did myself justice on Tuesday night, so you’ve always got to be prepared for anything.
“It would’ve been better to get a win [on Friday] but I really enjoyed it; as a team, we’re gutted to come away with a defeat.”
Jordan Archer making case to be Portsmouth number one
One thing is for sure – despite Pompey’s back-to-back defeats to send them bottom of the Championship, Archer can have no shame in his personal performances.
The stopper has exhibited his experience of this level, a positional nous and calmness that has been lacking at times elsewhere.
Schmid replaced long-time number one Norris for the Oxford United game on 5 October, but looked shaky at Cardiff until blurred vision forced him off the field.
The Austrian was signed for a fee in the summer which means Pompey will likely look to continue with him in the side long-term, but Archer has done his case no harm.
It will be interesting to see how successful Norris’ own fight for to reclaim the shirt will be, or whether he opts to seek a move in the January transfer window.
In other Portsmouth news, former midfielder Gareth Evans makes a prediction on John Mousinho’s future.
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