Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has explained why Christian Saydee, despite his limited goal-scoring record, continues to be a valuable asset to the team.
Saydee has scored just one goal in 11 appearances this season and has yet to register a goal in League One. However, Mousinho believes that Saydee’s contributions go beyond just scoring goals.
Mousinho praised Saydee’s recent performance in a 2-0 win over Port Vale, highlighting his energy and work rate in the midfield. He emphasized that the team doesn’t solely rely on Saydee for goal-scoring but values his overall performance.
Mousinho pointed out that Saydee excels in pressing opponents in the midfield, creating a dynamic presence on the pitch. He also mentioned that Saydee’s playing style adds a certain liveliness to the team, comparing it to someone playing on a school playground.
For Mousinho and the team, goals are not the only measure of success. He acknowledged Saydee’s ability to lead the team both on and off the ball, even if he doesn’t score.
Mousinho emphasized that as long as Saydee performs well and contributes significantly to the team’s success, scoring goals becomes less important.
Mousinho also mentioned the goal-scoring form of other strikers on the team, like Colby Bishop and Kusini Yenga, but reiterated that what matters most is Saydee’s ability to make things happen on the field. He emphasized that Saydee is still young at 21 and that they are pleased with all aspects of his game.
“I definitely want to be on the field, but it’s been challenging for me not getting much playing time at Portsmouth,” admitted Sean Raggett, a seasoned player for the team.
However, Raggett believes that those who are currently not in the starting lineup, as John Mousinho’s team continues to perform well, might suddenly find themselves playing a crucial role in Portsmouth’s promotion push.
This scenario unfolded for Raggett when he was given his first start of the season during the 2-0 victory over Port Vale.
Despite being the longest-serving player in the current squad at Fratton Park, with 203 first-team appearances over four years, the 29-year-old has found himself sidelined this season due to the excellent performances of Regan Poole and Conor Shaughnessy in central defense.
Raggett acknowledged the outstanding contributions of the current starters but emphasized that the competition for places is a challenge even for those not in the starting lineup. Drawing from his own experience, he knows that situations can change rapidly in football.
He said, “The team has performed exceptionally well this year, so I haven’t had many opportunities to play. That’s a positive for the team, but naturally, I want to be on the pitch as much as possible. We’ll have to wait and see how things progress from here.
Sometimes, even when you’re doing everything right, other players excel, and that’s true for many squad members. Players like Ben Stevenson, who hasn’t been in many squads, came in and performed admirably. We have a deep squad, and sometimes you can’t break into the lineup because others are performing well. It’s a positive sign for the results, but for those not in the mix, we have to continue working hard and strive to earn our spot.”
Raggett also acknowledged that it can be particularly tough for younger players in such situations. He added, “For me, I’ve played a lot of games and understand how football works. I’ve seen during my time here how quickly things can change due to injuries, suspensions, or loss of form. I’ve had numerous different center-back partners during my time here. Changes can occur suddenly, and when they do, you need to be prepared.”
It’s 23 games and 210 days unbeaten in League One as Pompey look down from summit. Here’s the Port Vale report.https://t.co/M2zxilxMJw
— Jordan Cross (@pn_jordan_cross) October 7, 2023
Mousinho has made it clear to those not currently featuring in the Portsmouth lineup that their circumstances can change rapidly. However, Raggett understands that it can still be challenging for those on the fringes to feel like they are contributing.
He explained, “When you’re not part of the starting lineup, it’s always a similar feeling. There’s not much a manager can do to make you feel fully involved. There’s always a part of you that doesn’t quite feel like you’re a part of it. When I was playing, I didn’t view the players on the bench as ‘not involved,’ but when you’re in that situation, it can sometimes feel that way. Everyone needs to stay positive and work hard because you never know when an opportunity might arise.”
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