‘Not quite clicked’ – John Mousinho fires challenge to Kusini Yengi at Portsmouth
John Mousinho has detailed his expectations of Kusini Yengi as Portsmouth search for more goals in the Championship.
Yengi’s last goal for Pompey came in League One back in April against Wigan Athletic, and the Australian has struggled this season for the bottom-placed Blues as injuries have taken their toll and stunted his momentum.
The 25-year-old also lost his place as Australia’s first-choice striker following a sending-off against Bahrain and subsequent three-match ban.
“Kas [Yengi] is coming back into the side off the back of a couple of injury lay-offs and has really grown into both of his last performances,” Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent’s Andy Moon [7 November].
“The way we want to press with the front players is really important and Kas has done that really well. We want to get back to when Kas is on the pitch, he scores. It’s just not quite clicked for him yet [this season].
“The next part of his development is to test the goalkeeper when he does get those chances like the Hull header. There have been a couple of occasions where a better touch could create some problems. When Kas is doing that, he’s at his best and scores those goals.”
Portsmouth fans want the old Kusini Yengi back
Yengi’s lack of progression into this season is far from entirely his fault, with a groin problem scuppering his chances of a run in the team.
He was thrust into the spotlight in pre-season as news came in of Colby Bishop’s heart surgery, with an anticipation on his shoulders at a level he had not yet experienced.
The issue of late with Yengi is that when he has featured in the Championship, he has barely looked a threat – Pompey fans have voiced their frustration considerably in recent weeks with their frontman.
What Yengi does have on his side is a level of belief which grew during his time in League One, becoming that vital regular goalscorer, and even when he fails to perform, he still has the ability to dig out a chance or two.
The Aussie poacher will be pushing for another chance to impress as the Blues seek a maiden home win of the season against Preston North End this Saturday [9 November].
In other Portsmouth news, Jay Sadler opens up on the toughness of the transition to women’s professional football.
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