Portsmouth flop backed for surprise second chance by ex-Southampton midfielder
Portsmouth begin their new Championship season in just over a week and supporters won’t have to wait long to play Southampton.
A lot of fans are particularly thrilled about the opportunity to lock horns with the Saints in the league for the first time since 2012.
Southampton were relegated from the Premier League, having finished bottom with 12 points last season, while Pompey secured Championship safety with two games to spare.
Some of last season’s signings had to be dropped by John Mousinho to give the Blues the best opportunity of staying up, and a former Southampton midfielder has backed one Pompey flop to do well this coming campaign.
Sammy Silvera backed to do well next season by Neil Maddison
Sammy Silvera’s loan move to Portsmouth from Middlesbrough was one to forget for everyone involved with the Blues.
The Australian had been tipped to settle in and do well on the south coast, but despite some promising signs, he failed to find his feet and was dropped by Mousinho.
The winger returned to Boro in January before heading to Blackpool on loan, where he again struggled.
- Silvera didn’t manage to score or assist in 442 minutes of Championship football for Portsmouth
- The 24-year-old went on to contribute to just two goals on loan with Blackpool
His days in the North East looked numbered at the start of pre-season, but impressive performances this summer have put him in contention for a starting place in Middlesbrough’s Championship opener.
BBC Radio Tees expert summariser and former Southampton midfielder Neil Maddison believes that Silvera has put himself into the frame to start Boro’s game against Swansea next week.
“He’s done himself the world of good and he’ll be hoping he’s in that starting lineup next week,” Maddison told BBC Tees (2 August).
The winger was influential in Middlesbrough’s 2-2 draw to Deportivo as he grabbed an impressive assist.
Silvera beat three or four players before teeing up the equaliser and showed something that he never seemed capable of doing at Fratton Park.
Portsmouth won’t rue Silvera decision
Pompey have now moved on from Silvera and won’t regret sending him back to Middlesbrough.
The Blues have recruited some better Aussies of their own this year in Thomas Waddingham and Adrian Segecic, and all focus will be on improving them.
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