John Swift ‘justifies Portsmouth starting spot’ as he proves West Brom fans vs Norwich
Portsmouth fell to a frustrating defeat against Norwich City, in a game which they could have snatched a draw right at the end.
Pompey went 2-0 down early on in a dismal first-half showing, but Colby Bishop had a penalty saved before Adrian Segecic pulled a goal back late on, and the final minute could have seen Portsmouth score again.
John Swift rattled the crossbar with a stunning half-volley right at the death, and the midfielder was denied a first goal at Fratton Park.
Swift earned mixed reviews from Portsmouth fans, with some frustrated at some of his shorter and sideways passing, but the 30-year-old showed why he should be in the team.
Swift leads Portsmouth stats against Norwich
John Mousinho recruited Swift on a free transfer earlier this summer, with the former West Brom player now handed the opportunity to play for his boyhood club.
Lining up alongside the younger Andre Dozzell, Swift’s role in the team may have gone under the radar given Portsmouth’s poor overall display against Norwich, but he was a leading player in the team.
- Swift attempted (76) and completed (61) the most passes out of any Portsmouth player.
- Not all of these were backwards and sideways, as his 12 progressive passes was also the most alongside Connor Ogilvie.
- Swift also made 10 ball recoveries, more than any of his teammates.
- The midfielder made 39 carries in the game, more than any of his teammates, but none of these were significantly progressive.
Swift was also unlucky with his final-minute strike, with the ball rattling the crossbar, and he would have been an instant hero if he saved a point for Pompey.
- Read more: ‘Huge error from the referee’ – Keith Hackett stunned by Portsmouth ‘injustice’ v Norwich
Can Swift replace Freddie Potts?
Portsmouth were dealt a blow as loan star Freddie Potts returned to West Ham in the summer, with the youngster one of their best performers last season.
His ability on the ball allowed him to dictate play from deep, and the 21-year-old will be sorely missed at Fratton Park.
Potts’ departure motivated Mousinho’s move for Swift, who carries a lot more experience and physicality than Potts, but the veteran will have to endear himself to the Pompey fanbase if he is to be the main replacement.
Swift struggled to make an impression at West Brom, with Baggies fans largely warning Pompey about how bad the ex-Reading midfielder had been during his stint at The Hawthorns.
However, based on the evidence so far, this Swift is a far cry from the version that was constantly criticised for his work-rate and star quality in the Black Country.
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