Portsmouth thanked for Saydee bargain as Wigan fans all say same thing
Portsmouth find themselves short of strikers with less than a week until the new season starts.
It was revealed on Saturday that Colby Bishop has picked up a groin injury that could keep him out for at least three weeks.
That leaves Thomas Waddingham as the only out-and-out striker in the squad travelling to Oxford on 9 August.
The injury blow comes on the same day that former Pompey striker Christian Saydee made his competitive debut for Wigan, and Latics fans have already fallen for him.
Wigan fans adore Saydee already after impressive debut
Wigan beat Northampton Town 3-1 in their opening fixture of the new League One season, with new signing Fraser Murray scoring a brace.
However, Wigan fans on social media were just as keen to praise their new signing Saydee on his performance, with several choosing to thank Portsmouth for selling the striker to them.
One fan suggested Saydee could become a “club legend”, while another playfully asked when a statue of him would be erected outside the ground.
Several Pompey fans on X also reacted to Saydee’s debut, with the majority suggesting they’re happy he’s getting the praise he deserves.
Portsmouth need a new striker as a matter of urgency
Portsmouth struggled in the early months of last season while Bishop was recovering from heart surgery. Once he returned, their results began to improve almost immediately.
Bishop hit 11 goals in 32 appearances last season, but he offers so much more to the team.
He hassles defenders, he holds up the ball, he runs his socks off and makes a constant nuisance of himself. Waddingham doesn’t offer these qualities on anywhere near the same level.
| Christian Saydee Portsmouth statistics | |
| Contracted | June 2023 – June 2025 |
| Appearances | 73 |
| Goals | 7 |
If Portsmouth still had Saydee in their squad, he would likely have seen some action in their opening games, hopefully as a substitute to see out a tight victory.
As Wigan fans have quickly found out, his strength and hold-up play can be breathtaking at times.
Still, it’s no use dwelling on the past. John Mousinho needs to look to the future and focus on recruiting a new striker who can play this role as well as the Liberian.
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