Portsmouth boss’ revealing verdict on key figure after massive Championship call

And John Mousinho believes the Austrian’s Pompey career is now accelerating, after a big period on which the new boy has shone at his new home.

Schmid has now made six appearances since usurping Will Norris as first choice, in the wake of the 6-1 Stoke capitulation at the start of last month.

The 27-year-old has offered a calm and reassuring presence at the back, after a fee of around 400,000 Euros was paid to bring in the keeper from BW Linz.

Schmid produced a big moment in the first half at Hull, and followed that with similar interventions against Plymouth and Preston last weekend.

Mousinho branded his display at Home Park last week as ‘faultless’, with the Pompey boss’ belief he maintained a similar level of performance in an important win last weekend.

The head coach praised Schmid’s composure as he adjusts to life in a new country, while taking on the pressure of delivering at Championship level for Pompey.

That’s been made more impressive by also enduring a blow to his head in the defeat to Cardiff last month, which saw him sidelined for the loss to Sheffield Wednesday.

Mousinho said: ‘Nico has come into the side with a lot of competition for those goalkeeping slots.

‘It was very difficult to bring Will out and then Jordan out after his performances against Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday.

‘I think Nico has repaid that faith with moments like that massive save at Hull at 1-0, I thought he was pretty faultless at Plymouth and then he’s done that again (against Preston).

‘That’s what you rely on you goalkeepers for and we’ve got a really competitive department there.

‘I’m really pleased that he’s come into the side and hit the ground running.’