'Bizarre decision' - Portsmouth faithful all say same thing as John Mousinho names starting XI and bench for Norwich game

Pompey fans have been reacting to the starting XI and bench picked by John Mousinho for today’s Championship game at Norwich.

The Blues boss has named the same side that saw off 10-man Sheffield United in midweek, with Iyad Mohamed retaining his place in midfield despite Ebou Adams coming off the bench and netting Pompey’s winner against the Blades.

The only change comes among the substitutes, with Tyrese Shade returning from injury to replace Keshi Anderson, who suffered a hamstring problem during the Wednesday night victory at Fratton Park.

With the Blues without nine first-teamers in total for the game at Carrow Road, it means Mousinho has once again asked two goalkeepers to take their place on the bench.

Indeed, both Daniel Bielica and Ben Killip have been included in the match-day 20 as back-up to recently-restored No1 Nico Schmid.

Understandably, it’s a decision that has battled many of the Fratton faithful, who are seriously concerned why no player from the academy could have been asked to step up and give the head coach an extra outfield option.

@PLMDave: Can’t believe we don’t have any academy players we can have on bench instead of 2 keepers - bizarre decision.

@jackcummins_9: Surely there is an academy kid for the bench?

@UpYerBlues: Surely we have atleast one half decent academy player we could throw in instead of having two goalkeepers on the bench???

@pfcnoah: Still 2 keepers on the bench!

@LewisFrow: Nice one, early goal etc then bring Killip & Bielica on late in the game and have three keepers! Up the blues!

@84Knight: Not even got a youth player to be on the bench ahead of a second keeper? Ridiculous.

@pompeyscott2: 2 keepers again. Why not throw an academy kid in?

@aaalfif: Stop wasting a bench slot with a second keeper and least give a youngun a spot.

@Palmrick_pfc: Couldnt have stuck an academy lad on the bench?

@Pompey_Ranger: Two GKs again? There must surely be a youth player worth a space on the bench?

@mjwmacca: Theres not a single academy lad good enough for the bench.

Pompey currently have nine senior players out on loan, including Josh Knight, Hayden Matthews, Jordan Williams, Josef Bursik and Jacob Farrell.

Youngster Tayo Singerr, who is injured, is currently on loan at non-league AFC Totton.

Meanwhile, academy players Michael Ani, Nathaniel Chioma and Chinedu Agu are presently at the Hawks, Poole and Basingstoke respectively.

Pompey’s under-18s were in action against Wycombe this morning in the Youth Alliance League.

They were last in action last Saturday, when they beat Stevenage away 2-0 thanks to goals from Max Hammond and Julian Korsah.

For your next Pompey read: Live updates from Carrow Road as Pompey take on Norwich