Portsmouth schemer now posing serious ‘selection headache’ after Fratton breakout
The summer arrival from Stockport County has now made his Championship mark at Fratton Park.
John Mousinho admitted Odin Bailey has given him a selection conundrum to deal with after his impressive Pompey breakout.
And the Blues boss believes the attacking talent offers another example to his fringe players of being rewarded for staying patient.
Mousinho on Bailey: ‘Given us a selection headache’
Bailey served up a man-of-the-match performance for his side against Stoke City on Saturday, Portsmouth boss delivers Nico Schmid verdict after costly Stoke City errors from keepertaking centre stage in his side’s impressive first-half showing as they pushed the high-flying Potters back at Fratton Park.
That followed on from an impressive effort against Swansea City on Tuesday in his first start since the 26-year-old’s summer arrival from Stockport County.
Now Bailey is giving Mousinho much to ponder after forcing his way up the Pompey attacking pecking order.
He said: ‘I thought he was excellent Odin, we thought he was tiring and that’s the only reason we took him off.
‘That’s the message to all of the boys and I spoke to the lads about it after the game on Tuesday.
‘That patience is really important when I know how frustrated they are and it can feel like they are a million miles away from being on the starting XI.
‘I’ve got so many examples over the years of players who have been in the Saturday training group and not involved.
‘Madiodio was one of them, but you keep your head down and keep going.
‘Odin’s been very sparsely selected in the first 13 games, but he’s now come in over the past two games and given us a selection headache.’
Saturday also proved a landmark for Tyrese Shade, after he opened his Pompey goal account at the 10th time of asking.
Shade has made a positive impression across nine appearances since his £2.2m capture from Burton Albion, with Mousinho now looking to see the 26-year-old get on a goal run.
He added: ‘We’re happy for Tyrese.
‘We’ve seen that type of finishing from him during his time with Burton.
‘It’s one of the reasons we play him off the left, because he come in and on to his right foot. He scores those goals really well.
‘I know he scores from a set-piece, but he’s really good at that.
‘Hopefully he can now build on that and go again.’