The ‘touches of quality’ to excite Portsmouth faithful with Southampton and Watford next in sights
The Luton Town arrival made his mark as he made his Pompey bow at Hillsborough.
John Mousinho believes Millenic Alli served notice of the attacking intent he will bring to Pompey after an impressive bow.
But the Blues boss reckons his side’s new addition also showcased some of his erratic tendencies, as he helped his new team to an important Sheffield Wednesday victory.
Mousinho on Alli: ‘I think he showed some of the touches of quality’
The loan arrival from Luton Town played a key role in the 1-0 success at Hillsborough on his bow, following his capture for the rest of the season on Wednesday.
Alli showed his willingness to engage defenders with direct running and trickery, with the Irishman creating some of his side’s best openings.
But it wasn’t all plain sailing for the 25-year-old, as he drew heckles from the home crowd as he made a mess of one cross when well placed after the restart.
Alli responded moments later, by providing a Josh Murphy-esque ball in for Adrian Segecic to fire home the only goal of the game.
Mousinho acknowledged both sides of the £1.5m man’s game, while being encouraged by the attacking flourishes he showed.
He said: ‘It took him a minute to get into the game, but once he did I thought he was really good in the last 15 minutes of the first half.
‘I think he showed some of the touches of quality which made us bring him here, and he set Segs up with a brilliant chance at the end of the first half
‘You could probably see the best and the worst of Millenic in the cross before the goal - and then the cross for the goal.
‘That was chalk and cheese, but we were really pleased he started and lasted as long as he did.
‘I thought he worked hard and bought into what we wanted to do, against a side who want to split play with some really good footballers.’
The Sheffield Wednesday success was one which proved far from straightforward for Pompey, despite their opponent’s position marooned 17 points adrift at the foot of the table.
The Owls had the moments of threat, before their confidence was punctured by Segecic’s 65th-minute goal.
Given Pompey’s 10 injured players and particular lack of attacking options, Mousinho was satisfied with his side’s display when going in front.
Mousinho on Sheff Wed win: ‘Confident but not comfortable’
He added: ‘I felt confident, but you can never feel comfortable. All it takes is one slip, an error or one set-piece.
‘But I felt Nico (Schmid) was completely untroubled after we scored, he didn’t have a save to make.
‘So it was really pleasing how we saw the game out and the lads were better going forward, while controlling possession.
‘If you look at the way we finished the game with Segs (Segecic) on the left, Terry Devlin on the right, so I can definitely forgive the boys for not scoring more.
‘We’re just waiting for the boys to come back in those areas, to make sure we get that little bit of attacking intent. So it was about getting through the game and getting the clean sheet.
‘I know squads are struggling with injuries and Sheffield Wednesday have their problems, but we’re also pretty thin so I’m pleased with the outcome.’