Mousinho to hone in on new striker after latest Portsmouth developments
Portsmouth have bought well in this transfer window, and their fans have plenty of reasons to be enthusiastic about the new season.
The Blues started the summer looking short of midfielders, but have filled that gap by signing John Swift, Luke Le Roux and Mark Kosznovszky.
Adrian Segecic, bought from Sydney FC, has looked really sharp, while loan signing Florian Bianchini registered an assist in the 1-0 victory against PEC Zwolle on Saturday.
However, some new developments have highlighted an area of the squad where they are still desperately short.
Portsmouth are worryingly short of strikers
With the new season now less than a week away, Portsmouth still only have two recognised strikers.
Colby Bishop is the undeniable first choice to start up front, with Thomas Waddingham available as a back-up.
However, that lack of depth has already been exposed now Bishop has picked up a groin injury.
Waddingham played OK in Bishop’s absence against PEC Zwolle, scoring the winner in the dying moments, but it would be risky to rely on him alone.
John Mousinho will be now be expected to target another striker before the transfer window closes.
Portsmouth are too reliant on Colby Bishop
It’s no coincidence that Portsmouth’s fortunes turned around when Bishop returned to action last season.
The striker missed the first few months of the campaign while recovering from heart surgery. He scored in his comeback game against Preston North End and hasn’t looked back.
Bishop bagged 11 goals in 32 appearances last season, but he brings so much more than that to the team.
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Bishop | 32 | 11 | 3 |
| Waddingham | 5 | 1 | 0 |
Portsmouth are a different prospect when Bishop is playing. He fights for every ball. He doesn’t give defenders a moment’s peace. His hold-up play is a big part of Portsmouth’s strategy.
It was obvious that Pompey missed him in the first half of their friendly against PEC Zwolle. Every long ball would come straight back at them. Waddingham couldn’t offer much of a physical threat.
The Blues played better in the second half, and Waddingham got his goal, but Pompey could still do with another striker who knows how to impose himself on defences.
It will be Mousinho’s target to recruit a player like this, ideally as soon as possible.
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