Harvey Blair posts social media video after cold shoulder at Portsmouth
Harvey Blair moved to Portsmouth last summer but has found first-team football hard to come by since his switch from Liverpool.
His case is a peculiar one in that while singing from Premier League giants Liverpool, he has not secured a single loan at 21-years-old and has consequently experienced very little senior action.
While Pompey recognises the talent of Gordon – his ability with the ball at his feet is very easy on the eye – John Mousinho evidently sees something holding him back from competing more at Fratton Park.
Blair has only played 187 minutes of Championship football since signing a permanent deal in the summer from Anfield, starting just once in a 6-1 drubbing by Stoke City on 2 October.
He is clearly viewed as a project signing and will be eager to impress in a sustained way before the end of the season in the Championship.
Harvey Blair wows Portsmouth fans on social media
Blair took to his X account (6 February) – not for the first time this season – to post a compilation of some of his best moments from the training pitch.
Pompey fans do like the glimmers they have seen from Blair in a blue shirt but recognise he is not yet at the level to be relied upon in a league in which naivety nosedives – especially in a survival fight.
The tricky winger is competing with the likes of Matt Ritchie, Josh Murphy, Callum Lang, Colby Bishop, Christian Saydee, Adil Aouchiche and now former Liverpool teammate Kaide Gordon for a place.
Blair shared a reel of impressive moments from Copnor Road alongside the caption: “Nearly there.”
Portsmouth survival battle laid bare
Portsmouth appear to have strengthened in the transfer window with eight arrivals supplemented by several departures to clear squad spaces and wage freedom.
Mousinho is happy with his transfer acquisitions, though, for Blair et al who often occupy the bench, the stronger squad may be an issue in a personal sense.
Following a resolute goalless draw at Fratton Park with Burnley (1 February), a trip to fellow relegated side Sheffield United beckons this Saturday (8 February). Afterwards, come 15 further games in which a Blues outfit hovering above the drop zone must move clear.
To suffer relegation in their first Championship campaign since 2011-12 would be disastrous and set back years of hard work from all at the club including the ownership, who have invested millions into the infrastructure – even if they have been called out for fewer funds spent in the transfer market.
Mousinho and the squad know the task at hand, and ultimately for the likes of Blair, while their football may be scarce they will certainly benefit financially and competitively from avoiding the League One abyss.