Portsmouth faithful all ask same thing as Blues spring surprise for Hull City game
Pompey take on Hul City at the MKM Stadium today in the Championship
Pompey fans on social media have been asking the same thing after John Mousinho named his starting XI and bench for today’s Championship fixture against Hull City.
The Blues head coach has made one change to his team following Wednesday night’s midweek draw against Wrexham at Fratton Park.
In comes Jordan Williams at left wing-back, with the defender replacing Connor Ogilvie in that position after he suffered a knee injury in the first half against the Red Dragons.
Yet it’s not Williams’ recall to the starting XI or the fact that John Swift has not been included in the match-day squad for what can only be assumed as injury-related that has got fans talking.
Rather, it’s Mousinho’s inclusion of an unknown youngster on the bench for Pompey’s last league game ahead of the latest international break - leaving many fans to ask: who is Ashton Sizer?
Who is Ashton Sizer?
The teenager is known to The News, with chief sports writer Neil Allen, naming the centre-back as the Blues’ man-of-the-match following this season’s Hampshire Senior Cup defeat to Romsey Town.
According to our player ratings from that game, which was decided on penalty kicks: ‘The 16-year-old was a powerful figure in the centre of Pompey's defence, superbly coping with the physicality of Romsey's strikers. At the other end of the pitch, his header on the stroke of half-time from Ani's cross struck the bar. Definitely one to watch.’
But for those wanting to delve deeper, the club website uploaded a bio on the player following the announcement of Pompey’s latest scholarship programme back in July. Sizer was one of seven teenagers who signed apprenticeship forms with the club that day.
The bio reads: ‘A member of the academy for several seasons, Ashton is a strong and commanding central defender who loves to engage in 1v1 ground and aerial duels.
‘He has already had the experience of U18 games, having been a part of the squad last season, while only an U16 player. In possession he is calm and adept at playing as the right or left-sided centre-back.’
Sizer’s last game for the Academy was against Gillingham on October 25. That’s one of 14 matches he’s played for Sam Hudson’s side this season.
His inclusion comes with Pompey currently without defender Conor Shaughnessy and Ogilvie for today’s game at the MKM Stadium and Mousinho’s decision to play three centre-backs. Hayden Matthews is also on the bench.
Posting on X, @pfc_sam wrote: ‘Who is Sizer?’ @Willmott3Sam commented: ‘A covering defender from the U18 squad, are we really that thin in fit players?’ Meanwhile, @surreypomp asked: ‘Do you mean Swift?’
For your next Pompey read: Hull City v Portsmouth LIVE: Team news is in from the MKM Stadium