Tim Sherwood can’t believe what he saw Connor Ogilvie do in Portsmouth loss v Coventry
Portsmouth were dealt a last-minute blow in their bid for Championship survival against Coventry City on Wednesday
John Mousinho‘s men were seconds away from collecting a crucial point away at promotion pushers Coventry before Portsmouth conceded a stunning acrobatic winner to Jamie Paterson.
The soul-destroying loss leaves them vulnerable to the drop, with three points between Pompey in 17th and Cardiff City in 22nd – the final relegation spot.
Ogilvie culprit in decisive goal
Connor Ogilvie has been a consistent presence in the Blues’ first season back in England’s second tier in over a decade.
Ogilvie, 29, has been entrusted to set the defensive foundation for Mousinho to build a successful campaign and has done so commendably for much of the season – starting all but one of Portsmouth’s 41 Championship games so far.
However, in the Wednesday night tussle between Portsmouth and Coventry at the CBS Arena, the long-serving defender was in a bind for the decisive goal.
Ogilvie’s attempt to clear the potential danger was futile and resulted in Coventry being able to craft a more fruitful chance, which was highlighted by former Portsmouth and Coventry midfielder-turned-pundit Tim Sherwood.
“Look at this, Ogilvie goes under it [the cross-field ball], it’s the first header he misses all game and it’s because they sent [Bobby] Thomas up the field – the big centre back,” said Sherwood on Sky Sports Football.
“Look, he [Thomas] just stands still, and he [Ogilvie] takes him underneath and then [Jack] Rudoni just gets it, ‘is he going to panic?’ No, he’s just going to wait for his opportunity, and what a delivery and Cinderella story for that kid [Jamie Paterson].”
Mousinho’s team have had their difficulties in defending the opposing team’s long ball, as seen in their 5-1 shellacking to West Brom earlier in the year.
Decision to be made on Ogilvie in the summer
As stated, Ogilvie has been a mainstay since arriving from Gillingham in the summer of 2021.
The former Tottenham Hotspur youth defender was mainly utilised as a left-back in the club’s league-winning campaign last season and has now established himself at the heart of the defence with the most minutes (3,578) out of the current centre-back crop – Marlon Pack – more at home in midfield – has1,888 which is the next most.
Nonetheless, Ogilvie’s current contract situation – his deal runs to 2026 – means the lingering question about his future remains.
Extending would seem obvious, but current league prospects may be seemingly tied with an individual’s future.
Ogilvie is putting together a stellar campaign at the highest level of football he has played in his peak years. Relegation would spark interest and could lead to a sale to avoid a contractual dispute in his final year.
Regardless, Ogilvie has proven to be an adept operator at Championship level and shall continue to do so with or without Portsmouth.