Callum Lang fails as 4/10 teammate struggles – Portsmouth player ratings vs Norwich
Portsmouth struggled in their 2-1 defeat to Norwich in their second Championship game of the season on Saturday.
Norwich took the lead after just six minutes when Harry Darling headed home from Marcelino Nunez’s free kick, before they doubled their lead from another set piece.
Goals from Reading’s Andre Garcia and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan condemned Portsmouth to defeat in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, and John Mousinho was hoping to get back on track against Norwich.
Pompey turned out a heavily rotated side from their Carabao Cup tie, and with that in mind, Pompey News rates the performances of every player in a blue shirt.
Callum Lang needs to be utilised through the middle
The Blues were hoping for a positive result after Adrian Segecic got Portsmouth’s season off to a strong start last weekend, as they won away at Oxford United
However, they got off to the worst possible start after Darling’s header, with most of the Blues’ players not deserving any praise.
Lang was utilised on the wings for much of the game and struggled to make much of an impact despite showing plenty of effort.
After signing from Wigan last summer, the striker has shown more promise through the middle than on the right-hand side.
Lang has been linked with a move away this summer, but has continued to show his commitment at Fratton Park.
The 26-year-old picked up a knock in the second half and was replaced by Florian Bianchini.
Regan Poole among the strugglers in defence
Pompey’s defence was awful against Norwich as they showed a lack of togetherness and strength at the back.
Portsmouth lost Rob Atkinson and Ryley Towler in the summer and struggled to find consistency against the Canaries.
- Atkinson returned to Bristol City at the end of last season after his loan move at Fratton Park
- Towler looked promising when he featured for the Blues and could have been utilised as a backup in defence
The visitors were ruthless from set pieces as Josh Sargent and Darling both scored from set pieces.
The defensive stability will be a worry for Mousinho, who will be hoping not to replicate their poor goals conceded record from last campaign.
Portsmouth player ratings vs Norwich
Nicolas Schmid – 6
Jordan Williams – 5
Connor Ogilvie – 4
Regan Poole – 4
Conor Shaughnessy – 5
John Swift – 6
Colby Bishop – 6
Adrian Segecic – 6
Andre Dozzell – 6
Jacob Murphy – 6
Callum Lang – 5
Substitutes
Zak Swanson – 6
Terry Devlin
Hayden Matthews
Luke Le Roux
Mark Kosznovszky
Thomas Waddingham- 6
Florian Bianchini – 6
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