'No sulking, no moaning': Portsmouth man praised after stunning recall
The Austrian was recalled at St Mary's for his 75th appearance for the Blues
Nicolas Schmid was ‘unfortunate’ to find himself out of Pompey’s side, according to Regan Poole.
And after declaring the returning keeper as the Blues’ man of the match against Southampton, the centre-half has backed his team-mate to flourish.
Schmid was dropped to the bench after the opening four matches of the season, making way for £500,000 summer signing Daniel Bielica.
However, it proved to be a short-lived absence, with the Pole himself then dumped for the south-coast derby at Southampton, despite two clean sheets in four outings.
Schmid bounced back with an eye-catching display, including saving two one-on-ones, as John Mousinho’s men slipped to a 1-0 defeat to 10-man Southampton.
And Poole, who was also recalled for Sunday’s St Mary’s clash, has praised the 29-year-old’s response to that Pompey career set-back.
‘Credit where credit is due, he hasn’t sulked’
He told The News: ‘I think Nico was man of the match, he has found himself out of the side, a bit like me, so fair play. What a great way to get back into the team.
‘Credit where credit is due, he hasn’t sulked, he hasn’t moaned, he’s got on with it - and now he’s in the team again.
‘Southampton had a one-on-one chance in the second half, but that’s always tough when they break, you all get sucked into the ball and he was in. We switched off, but a great save again from Nico.
‘He’s a really good keeper and a bit unfortunate to come out of the side. But that’s football, he’s back in now and showed everyone on Sunday how good he really is.’
Conor Shaughnessy concerns
Also earning recalls at St Mary’s were Colby Bishop and Ebou Adams, replacing Adrian Segecic and Rocco Shein, who both dropped to the bench.
Conor Shaughnessy’s ongoing groin injury created the opening for Poole to start only his second Championship match of the season - and his first since August 15 against QPR.
It represented only the fourth time he has been paired with Madiodio Dia since the Senegalese centre-half arrived at Fratton Park on deadline day in February.
It’s a partnership Mousinho may have to rely on in forthcoming weeks, though, with Shaughnessy still to return, Benjy Arthur out with a fractured back until the New Year, and Connor Ogilvie continuing to recover following knee surgery.
Meanwhile, Schmid and Bielica will continue fighting for that number one spot, although clearly the former will be starting against Sheffield United on Wednesday night (7.45pm).
And with 75 appearances for the Blues since joining from BW Linz in August 2024, Schmid has absolutely nothing to prove to Poole and his team-mates.
Poole added: ‘We’ve got two really good keepers competing for the spot, it’s how it should be.
‘It’s healthy, it’s competition for places, just like at centre-half at the moment when everyone is fit.’