Portsmouth assess emergency options in hunt for solution to crisis position
The promising Academy pair have both spent time on loan with non-league clubs this season
Pompey are running the rule over Academy talent as they explore every potential left-back option.
John Mousinho has been challenged to come up with a contingency plan, with Connor Ogilvie out for up to three months through a knee injury and Jacob Farrell still sidelined.
That has prompted them to cast their eye over Sam Hudson’s youngsters, with promising duo Ciaran Martin and Beau Mullins the under-18s’ left-backs at present.
Both second-year scholars featured in Pompey’s pre-season last summer, while have spent time on loan with local non-league clubs this term to aid their promising development.
Indeed, Moneyfields were denied the chance to keep the impressive Martin beyond an initial one-month loan, with the Blues wanting him back earlier this month.
Ex-West Ham youngster
The former West Ham youngster, who previously shone in two spells at the John Jenkins Stadium last season, recently made eight appearances for the high-flying Isthmian South Central Division side.
An attacking left-back who also takes set-pieces, including corners, Martin also spent a three-game spell with Chichester at the start of the campaign.
‘At Chichester, unfortunately for Ciaran he was up against Rob Hutchings, their best player and their captain, so it was difficult for him to get minutes. If it was anywhere else in that league, he might have played regularly.
‘Fortunately for us, he was available and has come for six weeks. We hope he’s here for longer as we have lacked a left footer.
‘A forward-thinking left-back’
‘We play a lot of right footers at left-back, so we probably haven't got that ability to cross the ball into the box and have become a bit predictable. He also takes our set-pieces, he’s comfortable and wants to take them.
‘Ciaran is a forward-thinking left-back, he’s a great defender, though. I have never seen him get done too much. He can get into pockets, he can play wide, he can deliver good balls into the box, especially when the ball is moving.’
Since returning to Fratton Park, Martin has started the Academy’s last two matches. He marked his comeback by providing a cross which was headed home by Noel Opurum in a 1-1 draw with Barnet in the Youth Alliance League.
On Saturday, they beat Forest Green Rovers 6-0 at Copnor Road, although, with Pompey boasting a huge lead at half-time, he was substituted, along with central defender Ashton Sizer, who was on Mousinho’s bench in the 3-2 defeat at Hull.
Also in the side against Forest Green was Mullins, albeit asked to play an unfamiliar position of right-back, yet he still successfully converted a penalty during the comprehensive victory.
Former HTC school pupil
Hailing from Waterlooville and a former HTC school pupil, the 18-year-old left-back joined Baffins on dual-registration terms at the end of September and has subsequently featured in their Wessex League Premier Division campaign.
On that occasion, Mullins was left-back, with Martin in the centre of midfield, as the match finished goalless and entered into a penalty shoot-out.
Mullins converted his spot-kick, while Martin’s attempt was saved as Romsey clinched a 7-6 victory to progress into the following round on a night which ended being dominated by John Westwood’s stolen wig.
In pre-season, Martin was among 11 half-time changes at Woking for the opening friendly in July, which Pompey won 2-0 through goals from Adrian Segecic and Paddy Lane.
As for Mullins, he was among 11 half-time changes in the 5-0 win at Farnborough for Mousinho’s men, while replaced Farrell at left-back on 59 minutes in a goalless draw against the Hawks.
And with no available left-footed full-backs in their squad heading into Saturday’s clash with Millwall, Pompey are exploring every possibility.