Portsmouth boss John Mousinho makes 'gifted' Sheffield United admission and cites Kalvin Phillips example
John Mousinho has conceded his Portsmouth side are set to face an “incredibly gifted” Sheffield United squad.
Pre-season expectations at Bramall Lane have not been met so far, but there is hope Sheffield United can rise back into the Championship play-off picture in the coming months.
An ambitious winter window has raised hope levels and the Blades will be fancied to pick up three points at Fratton Park on Saturday (February 14).
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Mousinho has shared a glowing and candid assessment of Wilder’s Sheffield United squad.
John Mousinho’s Sheffield United verdict
He said: “It is an incredibly gifted, talented squad. A massive club. But we have got to do our best to level all those things off at Fratton Park which I think we do very, very well and at the minute we’re in decent enough form as well, so I think it will be a really, really good encounter.
“I think the start to the season that they had obviously set them back, and then they had a run when they were really looking like they were on the up and maybe going to be challenging for the top six at some point.
“Ultimately, the start that they had has pinned them back and meant they haven’t quite been able to kick on since then. But they are a very, very talented side with an extremely talented squad.”
Strength in depth
The strength in Sheffield United’s squad was highlighted by the strength of their bench as they were beaten 2-1 by Middlesbrough.
Mousinho has referenced the introduction of England-capped midfielder Kalvin Phillips as an example of the club’s power.
.jpeg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
He said: “If you look at the other night [against Middlesbrough], you’re bringing Kalvin Phillips off the bench who has got 31 England caps. In and amongst a few others, the likes of Joe Rothwell and Tyrese Campbell, for example.”
Sheffield United sit 17th in the Championship table, six points above 20th-placed Pompey.