Exclusive:‘Maybe try to support him’: Portsmouth boss leaps to defence of under-fire Madiodio Dia ahead of Sheffield United
A strong response from the Pompey boss over Madiodio Dia being targeted for criticism from sections of the Fratton fanbase.
John Mousinho has called for supporters to back Madiodio Dia in the face of flak for his Pompey performances.
And the Blues boss admitted he thinks the defender is being unfairly singled out for his Championship displays.
Mousinho on Dia flak: ‘I think he gets singled out.’
Dia is in line for his fourth start of the season against Sheffield United tonight, with Benjy Arthur, Conor Shaughnessy and Connor Ogilvie all sidelined.
The 22-year-old is now 10 months into his Fratton stay, since arriving from Norwegian side Haugesund in a £600,000 deal.
His displays have attracted criticism in that time, with Mousinho emphatic in his stance that is unjustified.
The Pompey boss has called on the Fratton faithful to back the Senegal man, as he adapts to the English game.
Mousinho said: ‘I think Jojo could’ve done better for the (Cyle) Larin chance early on (at Southampton), I’ve spoken to Jojo about that.
‘A couple of times on the ball he needed to tidy things up, but I think he takes the brunt of a lot of the criticism really unfairly. I’m not entirely sure why.
‘There’s no one more critical of his own performances than Jojo and we review everything.
‘We look back at what we can do better. For the most part, apart from that chance early on, he kept far and away the best striker at the level quiet in Larin.
‘So it’s fine, but there’s no point in being football if you’re not prepared to take on criticism. He’s just got to get on with it.
‘My take to Jojo would be listen to what you want to listen to, but the most important opinion at the club is what I think of his performances.
‘It’s fine going on unforced errors, but if you want to go on those then look at the team and criticise everyone.
‘We should hammer everyone every single week. Players are going to make errors, players are going to give the ball away.
‘We could stop that if we want, kick the ball a mile, squeeze for second balls and hook it on whenever we can.
‘Look at the whole team. Everyone has made unforced errors through the season, I don’t think Jojo is higher than anyone else. I think he gets singled out.’
Dia has now made 11 Pompey appearances and, far from deserving to be a target for the knockers, Mousinho believes the 6ft 4in man has offered cause for optimism in many of his displays.
He added: ‘I’ve seen enough of him, but the fans have seen enough too.
‘Don’t forget Jojo came in fresh last year. I can remember his performances and I can remember the games he played, some good and some bad.
‘He came in against Swansea and did okay. He came in against Norwich and grew into the game - he was outstanding in the second half away from home in a big game.
‘He then played against Middlesbrough away, kept a clean sheet at the Riverside and was outstanding there for 90 minutes.
‘Then he played at Coventry away and I dragged him off after 45 minutes, because I didn’t think he was very good. After that, he played well at Stoke.
‘So that’s the life of a centre-half. The fans have seen him and they’ve seen enough of him to know he’s a good player.
‘There’s loads he needs to improve in his game, we’ll never hide away from that. But I’d ask everyone to give him a bit of a break and maybe try to support him.’