View: Singerr makes direct Mousinho case as Portsmouth gems suffer heartbreak
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho took a watching brief as the Pompey Academy put a valiant display in a heart-breaking loss to Leeds United in the FA Youth Cup on Monday.
Fratton Park played host to over 600 supporters as Pompey’s youngsters took on last season’s Youth Cup finalists, with first-team manager Mousinho and a clutch of first-team stars in attendance (official website, 16 December).
It was a gusty performance from the young Blues, who fell to a 3-2 defeat but put in an outstanding performance to scare the visitors.
Ultimately, it was a third-round defeat but the boys deserve a huge amount of praise and often it is these sort of defeats that can really build character as they look to step into the first team.
And there is one young talent in particularly that Mousinho will have been delighted to get a first-hand look at.
Tayo Singerr impresses in front of Portsmouth boss John Mousinho
Tayo Singerr was one the most vibrant players in a Portsmouth shirt and the young forward took the most of his opportunity to show Mousinho what he can do.
Leeds had taken an early lead through Jacob Render and at that point there were fears it could be a long, old slog for the home side.
But Singerr, who had already tested visiting goalkeeper George Kenyon, set the tone for a close clash when he sniffed out a close-range equaliser after the equally impressive Harry Clout dispossessed Harvey Vincent.
The goal was part of a real industrious performance from Singerr, who now has 13 goals for the Academy in a fruitful season (The News, 17 December).
That sort of form will give the decision-makers at Portsmouth plenty to think about. Do they start looking for a loan move for a talent many will hope can break into the first team?
It seems unlikely with Pompey’s first team in the midst of a battle against relegation right now that he will be drafted into the first team any time soon.
But if he continues to perform as he did against a youth side as strong as Leeds’ then you have to have high hopes for his future.
To make his case directly in front of Mousinho will only boost his cause in the long term.
In other Portsmouth news, Mousinho must stand by Marlon Pack despite mistakes versus Derby County.
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