Portsmouth boss’ verdict on keeper after finger of blame is pointed at former Wolves and Burnley man

And John Mousinho has given Norris his backing ahead of Sheffield United, with the challenge on for his Pompey berth between the sticks.

The Blues coach has lauded the 31-year-old’s overall form this season, after a number of impressive performances peppered with top-drawer stops.

Norris found himself the subject of criticism for Josh Brownhill’s stoppage-time winner, however, as his side were denied a share of the spoils in the 2-1 defeat at Turf Moor.

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Brownhill’s goal came about as Matt Ritchie gifted possession to the home side with a back heel, allowing the ball to be worked to the Clarets captain who rolled the ball into the net from the edge of the box.

The manner in which the ball beat Norris, who failed to dive, without being the cleanest of strikes led to some looking at the former Wolves man and expecting more.

Mousinho admitted he could see why some would take that position given the manner of the goal and Norris not extending himself.

But the head coach explained Pompey have studied the incident in detail and don’t feel the keeper would have kept the ball out of the net.

Mousinho believes, however, there was much more that could have been done to prevent the winner, with his faith in Norris remaining moving forward after Austrian Nicolas Schmid’s arrival to increase goalkeeper competition.

He said: ‘I think it's one that on viewing doesn’t look great, because Will doesn’t actually manage to dive.

‘But we've looked at both angles, we've looked at the angle behind the goal and from the far side of the stand and dugouts.

‘We’ve come to the conclusion we don’t think Will is going to get there anyway.

‘It's one of those where people look at it and it doesn't go in particularly quickly, it's not a clean strike and naturally people look at the goalkeeper.

‘We just try to be objective with that. It does hit the side-netting and it doesn't look great, but I don't think that actually changes the fact Will is 100 per cent diving, if he can get there. We know that.

‘He’s made some magnificent saves in the past few weeks. That is one thing Will hasn’t been very good at - bailing us out.

‘My concern was far, far before the shot was even taken. For somebody to have a free shot on the edge of the box let alone before that, is much more of a concern for me.’