Pompey’s Pre-Season Midway Review « Vital Football
Portsmouth have now reached the half way mark of their pre-season schedule with just three weeks until the EFL Cup clash against West Ham United.
Signings
John Mousinho has welcomed three new additions into Fratton Park so far this summer. The first summer signing for the blues was Odin Bailey on a free transfer. Bailey started his career at Birmingham City making his debut in a 3-0 defeat to Pompey. The midfielder has risen his way through the leagues and enjoyed his best ever season last season at Stockport County, picking up six goals and three assists. However, it was heartbreak to end the season as Stockport suffered defeat in the League One play off final.
Eoin Kenny was signed next costing just £40,000. The Northern Irish man is just 20 years old but has already played just under 100 senior games for Dundalk, picking up 17 goals. It is thought that Kenny won’t be starting regularly but the hot prospect will look to fulfil some much needed squad depth out on the right wing.
Finally, Pompey confirmed the signing of Estonian international Rocco Shein for £2 million pounds. After the departure of Andre Dozzell Pompey made it a key priority to find a replacement in midfield. At just 23 years old Shein has had five previous clubs signing from Norwegian side Fredrikstad FK.
Injuries
It feels like some things never change at Pompey as the club currently have nine senior players out injured. Ebou Adams and Zak Swanson are both very close to returning to full fitness with the duo likely to be involved with the matchday squad travelling to Adams Park next week.
Josh Murphy is also close to returning to full fitness with the winger aiming to be available for Pompey’s trip to the London Stadium on the 8th August.
Conor Ogilvie and Josef Bursik are likely to both be out until early/mid August. Marlon Pack has just undergone knee surgery and will be out for six weeks. Whereas Keshi Anderson will be sidelined for up to 12 weeks. Finally after tearing his ACL back in December Mark Kosznovsky won’t be available until January.
Matches
After returning from a week long training camp in Ireland Pompey played their first pre-season game against Jermain Defoe’s Woking. It was a narrow 2-1 victory for the blues. John Swift played a lovely rabona ball to Colby Bishop who slammed in his volley to break the deadlock. The blues were pegged back by Harrison Sohna’s equaliser in the 37th minute. After a season full of injury frustration it was Thomas Waddingham who won the game for Pompey, scoring his first goal since last year’s pre-season.
Just a day later the blues made the short trip to face Aldershot Town. It was a much changed Pompey team as 13 academy players were involved in the squad, Odin Bailey and Eoin Kenny also made their first starts for Pompey. However, it was a disappointing display as Pompey fell to a 2-0 loss against the National League opponents.
Pompey reached the halfway mark against Bristol Rovers. It was a fairly dull first half with a lack of chances. But Swiss international Fabrizio Caevegn gave Rovers the lead in the 57th minute. It was a dream moment for academy player Brandon Downey 20 minutes later as the 18 year old scored his first goal for the first team to earn a 1-1 draw.
Samuel Lamb
