Portsmouth goalkeeper competition sees spanner thrown in works
Portsmouth could see a reassessment of their goalkeeping pecking order after Ben Killip arrived at Fratton Park on Deadline Day.
The 29-year-old had played 21 of his 36 games for Barnsley this season, arriving for an undisclosed fee while Will Norris left on a free transfer, signing for Wycombe Wanderers.
Pompey’s desire to bring in another man of experience – who was receiving regular game time in League One – instead of, for instance, retaining the loaned-out Toby Steward as third-choice, makes it very cryptic as to how Mousinho’s order will look in the longer term.
Nicolas Schmid is first-choice – that much is clear – with his own signing throwing the first major spanner in the works over the summer as fans predicted he would eventually displace Norris, which transpired to be exactly the case.
Jordan Archer is also an experienced EFL stopper and will not fancy sticking around to be third choice, himself – neither will Killip, albeit he has only joined on a short-term deal.
Portsmouth have three experienced goalkeepers
Portsmouth have boldly decided to march forward with three goalkeepers who all want to be number one, rather than developing towards more match action between the sticks.
This was an approach Mousinho also took in the summer, happy to manage the needs of three stoppers who all feel worthy to play in the Championship.
Norris had endured a hard time while out of the team, consigned eventually to third-choice himself while he managed minor injury struggles and a difficult period after being shunned for Schmid.
Steward has been sent on a new loan, this time to Wealdstone, who were previously managed by Fratton Park hero Matt Taylor.
The competition is thriving, and Mousinho will be hoping Pompey as a whole can benefit from three established ‘keepers all wanting to keep guard of the buoyant Fratton End in the ongoing survival battle.
In other Portsmouth news, Bristol City rule out a permanent deal for Rob Atkinson at Pompey.
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