The former Birmingham City and Crystal Palace man offering Portsmouth ‘different dynamic’ at critical time
Keshi Anderson netted on his first Pompey start during Monday’s 2-2 draw with Oxford United.
John Mousinho has lauded Keshi Anderson for adding a ‘different dynamic’ to his struggling forward line at a critical time of the season.
And the head coach has expressed his excitement at finally being able to utilise the January arrival after overcoming his injury set-back.
It’s been a frustrating start to life at Fratton Park for the 31-year-old, who made the move to the south coast on a free transfer following his Birmingham City exit in the winter window.
January arrival catches eye after injury return
The set-back would ultimately force the ex-Crystal Palace man to sit out more than two months of action before returning to the fold against Norwich City on Good Friday.
The forward was then entrusted with a place in the forward line for Monday’s huge showdown against relegation rivals Oxford United, representing his first Championship start since New Year’s Day for Birmingham City.
And Anderson delivered in emphatic style, netting an early opener before putting on a man-of-the-match display as the Blues battled back to earn a point against the U’s.
It was a showing which excited not just the Fratton faithful but Mousinho as well, with the head coach insisting the exciting talent added a ‘different dynamic’ to his arsenal, which have struggled for goals this term.
John Mousinho lauds brilliant ex-Birmingham City man
And the Blues boss believes supporters can now see the very best of the January arrival, who is expected to play a significant role in Pompey’s survival bid in the remaining weeks of the campaign.
Speaking to Express FM’s David Howes, the head coach said: ‘I thought Keshi played very, very well and was deservedly man of the match. He got his goal and gave us a different dynamic.
‘There were two things when I came away that I thought were bittersweet, first was that was the first we’ve properly seen of Keshi.
‘I know we’ve had a couple of glimpses off the bench but because of the injury he picked up - and was due to start against Ipswich - it’s been a very, very stop-start beginning to his Portsmouth career.
‘I think if he was able to dovetail with Milli (Alli) a bit more over those three months, we might’ve picked up a couple more points, who knows. Very, very pleased with Keshi’s output.
‘The second part of that being slightly annoyed that on the day with 11 men we would’ve seen Keshi in full flow.
‘We could’ve seen him getting a lot more of the ball and caused Oxford a huge amount of problems but unfortunately we were denied that.’
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