View: Mousinho gamble on 67% Schmid pays off for Portsmouth
John Mousinho took a calculated gamble in dropping Will Norris for Nicolas Schmid and it is one that is paying dividends for Portsmouth.
That may sound strange to say on the back of shipping two goals in a 2-2 draw at Swansea City, but even in that game Schmid impressed.
Indeed, the Austrian produced a sublime save to deny Liam Cullen in South Wales as Pompey held on for what was still a positive point.
That was one of five saves Schmid made over the 90 minutes [WhoScored] of a game Mousinho’s men led 2-0 in a good showing between the sticks.
Asked about that save on BBC Radio Solent [1 December], Mousinho said: “It was absolutely superb. It looked superb in real time.
“I haven’t seen it back, but I’m sure it’s going to look even better then. But we need that.
“We’re going to need players to step up and I think Nic has come over and he’s been excellent. He’s been really, really good.”
Niclas Schmid excelling in various areas for Portsmouth
Schmid has not kept a clean sheet in the seven games he has played since replacing Norris, but that cannot be blamed entirely on the keeper himself.
Portsmouth’s defence is far from solid, highlighted by the fact Schmid has made 11 saves across his past five matches [FBref].
The 27-year-old saved three of the four shots on target in the recent game with Plymouth Argyle, with that a standout display in goal.
That 75 per cent save-success rate [FBref] is not too much higher than his average of 67 per cent for the season.
For context, Norris averages pretty much the same (66 per cent), but delve deeper into the figures and you can see where Schmid excels.
As per FBref, Schmid has prevented exactly one goal in terms of expected goals he has faced compared to actual goals conceded.
Norris, meanwhile, shipped three more than expected based on the quality of shots faced during his run in goal.
That is not to say Schmid, who cost a reported £300,000 to sign in the summer [BBC Sport], excels in every department.
According to WhoScored, the Austrian’s 34 per cent pass accuracy is the lowest of any Pompey player to have featured this season.
Still, if he can produce saves of the calibre witnessed against Swansea at the weekend, he will continue to justify Mousinho’s decision.
All that is needed now is for that first clean sheet to come along, with Saturday’s (7 December) visit of Bristol City a good chance to get off the mark.
In other Portsmouth news, the club may have missed out on a potential six-figure sum.
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