Southampton legend names the Portsmouth player he’d love to see at St Mary’s
Portsmouth have enjoyed a bright enough start to the new season, but there are concerns surrounding their attack.
The Blues have only scored four goals in six Championship games this season and drew a blank for the second game running in last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday.
Portsmouth were heavy favourites to beat Sheffield Wednesday, but this was the type of match where they could have played an extra 90 minutes and not scored.
Pompey have been reasonably tight at the back this season, which has helped them get away with being somewhat toothless in attack, but this is an issue that John Mousinho will need to address soon.
Jo Tessem admits that he’d love Colby Bishop in Southampton’s team
Colby Bishop has one Portsmouth goal this season, but he has misfired in other games.
Many fans have blamed Mousinho for not recruiting an experienced striker to use as an alternative when things aren’t going Bishop’s way.
Bishop’s form was discussed by Andrew Moon and Chris Wise on the latest edition of BBC Radio Solent’s ‘Who Needs Mousinho’ podcast.
And, during this debate, Moon revealed an interesting conversation he had with former Southampton striker Jo Tessem.
He said, “We’ve sung Colby Bishop’s praises many times, and I would continue to do that.
“It’s actually very funny speaking to Jo Tessem, who’s Radio Solent’s Southampton summariser, basically saying he’d quite like Bishop in their team, and they’ve got £40million of strikers who are largely misfiring down the road.”
Colby Bishop shouldn’t shoulder the blame for Portsmouth’s attacking woes
It wasn’t poor finishing that cost Portsmouth the game against Sheffield Wednesday; it was a poor final ball.
Pompey got into many good attacking positions against the Owls, but their through balls were predictable and their crossing was abysmal.
Bishop did get his head onto a few crosses in the second half, forcing two saves out of Wednesday’s keeper, Ethan Horvath and having another effort cleared off the line.
He’s not to blame for Portsmouth’s attacking woes; the service offered to him is far more of a concern.
| Colby Bishop 2024/25 statistics | |
| Games played | 32 |
| Goals | 11 |
| Assists | 3 |
If the midfield can improve the quality of the passes played toward Bishop, he will find the net.
The return of Josh Murphy should help. He was the Championship’s top assist-maker last season, but has been in and out of the team with a couple of minor injuries.
Murphy is expected to be fit enough to be involved in Portsmouth’s game at Ipswich this Saturday, which could get Bishop back on song immediately.
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