Portsmouth boss explains surprise selection call that adds to Socceroos defender's frustrating Fratton Park career
Jojo Dia was preferred to Hayden Matthews for Pompey’s game against Swansea on Tuesday night
John Mousinho has explained why January recruit Jojo Dia was selected ahead of Hayden Matthews for Tuesday night’s Fratton Park defeat at the hands of Swansea.
The Senegal centre-back started the game against the Swans after Regan Poole was ruled out of the fixture because of an ankle injury.
He got the nod to partner Connor Ogilve in the centre of the Blues’ defence despite accummulating just three minutes of football since his move from Norwegian side Haugesund on the final day of the transfer window. His promotion to the starting XI also came when both Matthews and Ibane Bowat - two players with more Championship experience - were available for selection and who remained on the bench for the loss.
The call to overlook Bowat is understandable given that all 13 of his appearances this season have been on the left-hand side of the central defensive pairing - a position Ogilvie has made his own in recent weeks.
A right-footer was therefore needed to give the defence balance. But as Conor Shaughnessy continues to be carefully managed back into the first-team fold, it was the decision to select Dia over Matthews that came as a surprise when the teamsheet was released.
In fairness, Matthews has endured a frustrating season to date and only recently returned from a 10-game stint on the sidelines because of an ankle injury.
He’s been an unused sub twice since his recovery and wasn’t named in the 20-man match-day squad for last weekend’s draw at Blackburn Rovers. And it was that lack of action since the turn of the year - including time spent on the training pitch - that influenced Mousinho’s decision to opt for Dia, who has been able to settle into his new surroundings by taking part in all Blues training session.
Explaining the thought process behind the call, Mousinho told BBC Solent: ‘Hayden’s just not been back for long. he’s only had a couple of training sessions and no exposure really.
‘Jojo's had a lot more exposure over bigger distances. He’s come in and done very well and I think he was the right choice to make.’
Dia’s full Pompey debut against Swansea lasted 84 minutes, with the 22-year-old defender replaced by attacking midfielder John Swift as the Blues went in search of an equaliser.
He could find himself back on the bench, though, for Monday night’s visit of Derby to Fratton Park, with both Poole and Shaughnessy expected to be in contention for that important game against the Rams.
Where that leaves Matthews remains to be seen. However, the £1.27m signing from Sydney FC could easily find himself out of the match-day squad once more and forced to watch on from the stands as he remains on just 12 appearances for Pompey this season.
That’s hardly ideal when when Socceroos boss Tony Popovic is finalising his squad plans for Australia’s appearance at the Word Cup finals, which start in June.
Matthews made six appearance for the Blues last season, before his season was ended by an akle injury.
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