‘If we get more…’: Portsmouth boss responds to calls for transfer firepower amid lack of goal threat
Pompey fans want additional Championship attacking threat as their side struggle for goals - here’s John Mousinho’s response.
John Mousinho welcomed the prospect of additional attacking resources in the January transfer window.
But the Pompey boss is adamant his side do currently possess enough firepower, despite their lack of Championship goals.
Mousinho: ‘If we get more then great’
The Blues are the second lowest scorers in the division so far this term, with only struggling Sheffield United returning fewer than their 11 league finishes.
Terry Devlin’s two goals at Hull City last weekend was the first time Mousinho’s men had hit the back of the net more than once, since the 2-2 draw with Watford on October 1.
That has been a significant factor in the run of one win in 11 Championship fixtures, which has seen Pompey come careering down the Championship table.
With Colby Bishop struggling to find his best form and returning one goal this term, new boy Makenzie Kirk is offering the youthful back-up in the number nine department.
Mousinho accepted that viewpoint, but believes there is enough goal threat in the building at present.
He said: ‘I understand that (why people feel Pompey lack firepower).
‘If you look at what we have on the pitch now, though, in the front three there is goals and firepower.
‘Obviously before his injury last year, Callum (Lang)picked up 10 goals at the level. Segs has got three goals so far and when he come back we’ll have that threat.
‘One of the reasons Conor Chaplin has been so good in the past few seasons is the firepower and goals he brings.
‘I think that question will always be there when we are the lowest scoring side and haven’t scored as many as we’d like, but I do think we have plenty in the building.
‘If we get more then great, but I do think there’s plenty in the building.’
Firepower set to bolster Pompey
Mousinho is hopeful of being able to call on greater attacking resources by the time Pompey return to action against Millwall next week.
The big hope is Callum Lang being back in business for the class against the Lions at Fratton Park on November 22, with the key man missing since August after undergoing hamstring surgery.
It’s a similar story for top scorer Adrian Segecic, who bagged three goals following his summer arrival in England from Sydney FC. The Aussie suffered an ankle injury against Coventry City, with a Millwall return covering the period of one month out of the reckoning.
Striker Thomas Waddingham is still sidelined with a quad issue, with Mousinho saying he’s expected to be out for between six and eight weeks when addressing the press last week.
Deadline day signing Franco Umeh hasn’t featured since arriving for £500,000 from Crystal Palace, but is expected to be back in full training next week.
It’s the same time frame for Harvey Blair, who has been feeling some hamstring discomfort after making two appearances off the bench this term.