'Shocking. Baffles me' - Portsmouth faithful left bemused as January signing left out of team v Hull City

Pompey fans on social media have been reacting to the team named by John Mousinho for today’s lunchtime game against Hull City.

And there’s one particular topic that has had most traction from the Fratton faithful.

This day last week saw January deadline day arrival Gustavo Caballero produce a goalscoring man-of-the-match display as the Blues stunned promotion-chasing Millwall at The Den.

The on-loan Santos winger got the ball rolling for Pompey with an excellently-placed strike following a powerful run into the Lions penalty area.

That saw the Paraguayan lauded in only his third game in English football. However, he was abruptly brought back down to earth again in midweek, when Mousinho substituted him at half-time as the Blues produced a below-par first-half display in their defeat to Wrexham.

Both Caballero’s efforts in and out of possession were highlighted by Mousinho after the game for his early withdrawal.

Now, as Pompey prepare to take on Hull at Fratton Park, the forward finds himself on the bench as Harvey Blair is given his first league start since the victory against Charlton back in December.

He’s one of two changes Mousinho has made to the team that lost to Wrexham, with Adrian Segecic preferred to Conor Chaplin as John Swift nurses a hamstring injury.

However, it’s the unforced decision to swap Blair for Caballero that has fans talking ahead of kick-off.

Here’s what they have been saying on X.

Fans react as Gustavo Caballero dropped for Hull game

@Captain_Outram: Let’s hope Gus doesn’t get the Le Roux treatment, half a dodgy game then bombed out of the team.

@Jake40854241: Gus out is shocking.

@Tills1973: Not sure what JM isnt liking about Gus. Seemed to fit in well, half time pull and then axed....very harsh, but the result will decide this decision. Hope Blair lasts a full game.

@markj2k73: He baffles me sometimes unless Gus is not fully fit that decsison is baffling. Seg for Swift I get... Hull are a good team and be tough as today but will we have threat either wing now remains to be seen without Gus. Ali will need a big game again for us.

@TomCowdrey: Is Gus being punished because he didn’t track back?

@MikeTur88: Gus should be playing.

@Critchpot: Surely we start Caballero?

@Brooke_Smedley: Who am I needing to fight to get my boy Gus starting.

@InnocentOnX: GUS ON THE BENCH NOOOOOOOOOO.

@jayleggett1: Why is Caballero on the bench?

@bazjenkins12: Calm down lads, Gus needs to be eased in as still getting used to the English game.

For your next Pompey read: Live updates of Pompey v Hull from Fratton Park