Pompey Talk: Struggles and signings under spotlight
Pompey Talk returns to fill the international break void with all the latest from Fratton Park. On this week’s show, chief sports writer Neil Allen and Pompey writer Jordan Cross discuss the Oxford United draw and the issues surrounding the slow start to Championship life. There’s also an in-depth assessment of the 15 summer signings, as we look at who’s been up to the grade - and who’s struggled so far.
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00:00Yeah, yeah, very, very encouraging. Again, you can't judge a player from one game, can you?
00:04His kicking looked good. It was interesting. They were a bit...
00:08Messina admitted that afterwards, they were a little bit more direct than usual.
00:12I mean, certainly, on the whole, when the ball came to Smith, he gave it a hefty kick and he can kick it far.
00:17He wasn't looking to distribute it along the ground to a defender as much as Norris.
00:24But it... No. It was directed. But also, of course, it's a different system.
00:29So, he's got three centre-halves. He's got wing-backs waiting for him.
00:32So, it's all different, isn't it? But he did okay.
00:36A really good save that in the first half, wasn't it?
00:39The shot going in, he dived to his left and tipped it around the post.
00:42Really good save. But he didn't have a lot to do.
00:45So, I think it's a decent start from him. We'll see how he progresses.
00:50And like you mentioned, Norris not being in the squad.
00:53Messina explained afterwards that he just thought, through his mindset and things,
00:57just give him a game out. He's been involved in a lot of matches.
01:00So, Archer was the sub-keeper that occasion. So, we'll see how that progresses.
01:04But clearly, Norris won't be happy about being dropped.
01:08I think it's 54 consecutive league starts for him.
01:12He played League One Goalkeeper of the Year last year, wasn't he?
01:17And a really important player for Pompidou last year as well.
01:20And he's had some good games this year.
01:21But also, he's been called for some goals. It's been a bit of a mixed bag from him.