View: Portsmouth find long-term position for 100% Devlin after shutting out Sainz
Portsmouth will be tremendously impressed with Terry Devlin after he successfully negated Borja Sainz in the 0-0 draw with Norwich City.
The 21-year-old – who has filled in excellently despite identifying as a midfielder by trade – kept the 15-goal leading Championship scorer and his teammates quiet on Tuesday night [10 December] at Fratton Park.
As is expected in the second tier for a player with Devlin’s youth, there have been some off moments but on the whole, the Northern Irishman has become a vital player in John Mousinho’s system.
The point following the Fratton stalemate was enough to lift Pompey out of the relegation places, at least until Wednesday night’s fixtures begin.
Terry Devlin has carved his way into the Portsmouth XI
Portsmouth have struggled more than most of their competitors in the Championship with injuries this season.
However, for young Devlin, he has seized his opportunity. Setbacks for Jordan Williams and Zak Swanson have enabled the midfielder to convince Mousinho he deserves a run at right-back.
Having initially been a fringe player with the potential of a January loan, he has since become one of the crucial cogs in the machine and is moulding himself into a promising full-back, having started six of the last seven games – losing in just one of those starts.
Against Norwich, many dreaded the prospect of how he would fare against Sainz, but stepped up with a 100 percent aerial duel success rate, seven defensive recoveries and a 57 percent success in duels on the deck [Fotmob]. By contrast, Sainz – who has taken the division by the scruff of its neck – only managed one shot inside the Pompey area as Devlin and co. kept him to an xG of just 0.08.
Since being drafted in at right-back and carving out his own place in the starting XI, Devlin’s defensive contribution has been widely praised. The statistics do more than back it up, too – as of FBRef data, he is averaging 4.04 clearances and aerial challenges won per 90 minutes, while also delivering 2.96 interceptions per game. Each of these statistics place him among at least the top 2 percent of full-backs in the division for this stat.
Devlin was given his chance following a string of poor results, the gradual improvement of which has coincided with his inclusion in the team. Of Pompey’s eight league defeats this campaign, he has only been on the pitch in some part of three – and only one he started [Flashscore].
Portsmouth have faced more than their fair share of setbacks this season and have been put under immense pressure to operate heavily in the January market. But they may be able to cross a right-back off their list of targets.
In other Portsmouth news, the club’s academy must heed Sam Hudson’s advice to avoid a major slip-up.
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