'We don't want to overreact': Portsmouth boss addresses Will Norris' position after Stoke debacle

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John Mousinho is weighing up whether it’s time for Will Norris to stand aside for Nicolas Schmid.

But he has warned against over-reacting to the title-winner’s disappointing performance in the 6-1 hammering at the hands of Stoke.

Norris’ first-team place is under scrutiny after Mousinho pinpointed goalkeeping errors for the first and third goals at the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday night - although absolved him of blame for the controversial penalty.

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The summer arrivals of Schmid and Jordan Archer have ramped up competition in goal, yet it is the Austrian who is providing the greater threat.

Will Norris' position is under scrutiny for the visit of Oxford United, with Nicolas Schmid challenge for selection. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImagesWill Norris' position is under scrutiny for the visit of Oxford United, with Nicolas Schmid challenge for selection. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
Will Norris' position is under scrutiny for the visit of Oxford United, with Nicolas Schmid challenge for selection. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages

And with Oxford United visiting Fratton Park on Saturday (12.30pm), the Blues may well opt for a change in goalkeeping personnel.

Mousinho told The News: ‘Will will be disappointed for the first goal. There’s no way that Will is saying he shouldn't save it, I think he knows he should.

‘With the third goal it’s the decision-making to play into the middle of the park - and Will knows he needs to make a better decision. It’s not just Will, it’s collectively and the fact we go back to him in the first place. Will knows that.

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‘The penalty incident isn’t his fault, it’s a really poor refereeing decision, then, beyond that, he can’t do anything about the others goals scored.

‘There’s always a (selection) decision to make with all of the players - and all the players are fighting for their positions at all times. There’s plenty of competition in the squad and we will make that decision on every position going into the weekend.

‘Nicolas will play when we think it's right, when we think he’s ready and when we think it’s the right thing to do.

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‘The one thing I will say about Will is that, going into Stoke, he had been outstanding in a couple of the games previously and made a really good save to keep us in the game against Sheffield United. He had a very, very sure performance in that match, keeping a clean sheet at home.

‘We don’t want to overreact. We want to make sure we’re realistic with all the team selections, but also not overreacting and chucking the baby out with the bath water.’

Schmid was signed from BW Linz for an undisclosed fee in August, although is still to make his first-team debut.

And Mousinho is encouraged by how the 27-year-old is settling into life on the south coast.

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He added: ‘Nicolas has been doing well and it has taken him a bit of time to adjust. The one thing we haven’t seen a huge amount of him is in games, apart from a bit in the Havant friendly without him having to do a huge amount.

‘That’s one where we will speak to Joe about all the goalkeepers’ progress because he works with them a lot more closely than we do as outfield players.’

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