Exclusive:The true cost of Portsmouth goalkeeping errors with Nicolas Schmid under spotlight after expensive Stoke City mistakes
Pompey’s keeper department is a key area under the microscope after costly mistakes from Nico Schmid against Stoke City. We assess the Austrian and Daniel Bielica’s displays this season, where it’s costs John Mousinho’s side and where they’ve contributed to their side’s success.
The Pompey goalkeeping department is in the spotlight after weekend defeat to Stoke City.
Nico Schmid’s role in the 2-1 loss to Mark Robins’ high-flying side was a central talking point, with two costly second-half errors at the heart of defeat.
Schmid spilled Ben Johnson’s cross allowing Jack McGlynn to fire in the leveller for the visitors, before pushing Ethan Galbraith’s drive into the path of Ben Wilmot who nodded home.
The goals continue a pattern of mistakes from the man between the sticks for Pompey this season, with Daniel Bielica also enduring some tough moments following his £500,000 arrival from Dutch side NAC Breda.
It’s important to highlight, however, both men have also contributed to points being picked up by John Mousinho’s side with their displays.
We look back at those key moments so far as we pause for the international break, and try to offer a balanced assessment of where that could have left the Blues at this stage of the campaign.
Lincoln 1 Pompey 3: Saturday, August 22
Schmid made an important early contribution as Pompey collected their first win of the season at Sincil Bank in August. The tip over from Adam Reach’s free-kick was more routine, but the Austrian then emerged victorious in a one-on-one with Ben House as Mousinho’s men went on to collect three points.
Pompey 0 Derby County 2: Tuesday, September 1
Daniel Bielica’s debut didn’t go well, as the Polish keeper made a costly early error. Sammie Szmodics’ shot lacked any real power, but was allowed to squirm through Bielica’s grasp and into the net. There was little he could do, however, as Lars-Jorgen Salvesen slammed home his side’s second from the edge of the box after the restart.
Pompey 2 Cardiff City 0: Saturday, September 5
After a difficult debut Bielica stepped up with an impressive display to help Mousinho’s side to victory against Cardiff. It was a game Pompey rode their luck in at times, but the 27-year-old was central to that success as he made a trio of key second-half stops to deny Ollie Tanner, Yousef Salech and Perry Ng.
Charlton 0 Pompey 0: Saturday, September 12
A second clean sheet for Bielica and an important stop with his feet in the first half to deny Karlan Grant and preserve the Pompey shutout.
Pompey 2 Blackburn Rovers 2: Saturday, September 19
A difficult afternoon for Bielica, which ultimately paved the way for Schmid’s return to the starting XI. Mousinho cleared the keeper of blame for the opener, but he did look to be beaten easily at the near post by Dapo Afolayan’s opener from just inside the box. Mousinho acknowledged culpability for Blackburn’s second, however, as a his clearance lacked distance and the ball was worked to Ryoya Morishita to score his side’s second.
Southampton 1 Portsmouth 0: Sunday, October 11
Schmid was back between the sticks for the south-coast derby and came to his side’s rescue early on, coming out on top with a one-on-one against Southampton striker Cyle Larin. Schmid then excelled himself after the restart with an outstanding stop to deny dangerman Leo Scienza was clean through on goal.
Wolves 1 Pompey 1: Tuesday, October 20
An evening where the good and bad side of Schmid’s game was witnessed. The 29-year-old was partly culpable for Wolves’ goal as Abu Kamara conceded possession and he was then beaten at his near post by Jordan James’ drive. Schmid ensured a shape of the spoils was taken, however, getting a touch on Tawanda Chirewa’s shot at the death.
Pompey 2 Millwall 1: Saturday, October 24
Schmid has often looked uncomfortable with the ball at feet this season, but Millwall has been the occasion when it resulted in a goal being conceded. Jenson Metcalfe was the recipient of the gift, though Pompey fought back to take the three points.
Pompey 1 Stoke City 2: Saturday, November 7
Saturday has seen the glare of the spotlight turned up on Schmid with two mistakes central to their downfall. Mousinho’s man had the lead at the break, before Ben Johnson’s cross was spilled for Jack McGlynn to level. It got worse as Schmid then failed to push Ethan Galbraith’s 20-yard shot away from goal and Ben Wilmot nodded in from close range.