Josh Murphy incredible, change needed – Three things learned in Portsmouth draw vs West Brom
Portsmouth put to bed any worries with their 1-1 draw against West Brom on Saturday.
John Mousinho’s side didn’t get off to the ideal start at The Hawthorns, with Florian Bianchini missing a one-on-one before the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute.
Bianchini was one of two changes for Portsmouth, with Zak Swanson also starting, but the Frenchman was hooked off in the 56th minute, just after Colby Bishop equalised.
Mousinho will be pleased with his squad’s reaction after two straight defeats, and with that in mind, Pompey News picks out three things we learned from the defeat.
Colby Bishop silences the doubters
Having not scored in the opening two games and Bishop missing a crucial penalty in the defeat to Norwich, questions remained over whether he was starting to struggle for the Blues.
However, despite having limited opportunities, the striker continued to work hard and got his goal in the 55th minute.
Bishop’s last four spot kicks:
- Penalty miss vs Norwich
- Goal vs Norwich (18 April)
- Miss vs Derby
- Goal vs Stoke
Josh Murphy drove down the left-hand side before firing in a perfect cross, which Bishop expertly smashed home.
His goal was the perfect response to his missed penalty last weekend, as he continued to cause problems for the hosts and nearly added another from a header in the 73rd minute
Josh Murphy on course to replicate last season’s form
Murphy was one of the main talismen for Portsmouth last season.
Murphy’s stats last season
- 42 appearances
- 7 goals
- 14 assists
The 30-year-old continued to show his fine form by contributing an assist in the draw with the Baggies.
Murphy was a constant threat as he fired in multiple fine crosses, which no one ended up getting onto the end of.
When someone did finally get to the end of one of his fine crosses, Bishop got onto the end of it and converted.
John Swift struggles against his former side
John Swift was at fault for West Brom’s opener as he failed to close down his former teammate Mikey Johnstone.
The Ireland international then let fly and managed to beat Nicolas Schmid in the Pompey net.
Swift was poor in his 56 minutes on the pitch as he was hooked off for Thomas Waddingham.
The midfielder is likely to lose his place in the side for their next game against Preston, with Pompey supporters eager for Luke Le Roux to get a run out.
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