Exclusive:Portsmouth boss details scouting scenario with eyes on emerging talent
Pompey have tapped into different recruitment markets in recent years with an emphasis on video scouting, but watching players in the flesh remains key to the process of identifying and signing players.
John Mousinho insisted live scouting remains a central part of Pompey’s recruitment strategy.
And the Blues boss stated he will look to assess potential signings in person across the international break - if the opportunity presents itself.
Pompey boss: ‘I’m always out at games if possible’
Football is currently paused in the Championship across a three-week break which sees the September and October fixtures for national sides combined.
Pompey stripped back their training last week, but returned at the weekend and it will be business as usual at their Hilsea base this week.
That limits the scouting the 40-year-old could do in person, with League One and League Two games played at the weekend.
The club’s scouting department have been at games, however, as Pompey look to continue unearthing potential gems from around the UK.
That’s something they will be hoping they can achieve with the likes of summer signing Eoin Kenny, after the Northern Ireland under-21 man’s capture from Dundalk.
Meanwhile, his compatriot Terry Devlin remains a standout example of the kind of rough diamonds Pompey want to unearth and develop into precious commodities.
When asked about scouting opportunities, Mousinho said: ‘We’ll be training.
‘Both of the Saturdays which are free across the international break we’re training.
‘But if there’s some mid-week games I can get to then great, I’ll get to them.
‘I’m always out at games if possible, but I need to properly look at the schedule.
‘I still get to loads of games. If I can get to a game live to watch a player I will get to it.’
Pompey have cast their net far wider in sporting director Rich Hughes’ four years at Fratton Park, with Australia a far-flung market tapped into.
Live scouting would’ve proved a more testing challenge, as the likes of Kusini Yengi, Hayden Matthews, Thomas Waddingham, Jacob Farrell and Luke Brooke-Smith were landed from the A-League.
Pompey would’ve leaned on video analysis when watching those players, something which remains a significant tool as attentions were turned to European countries in recent windows.
But Mousinho confirmed players passing the eye test is something which remains key, even amid greater use of data and video analysis.
He added: ‘We do a lot of the base level by video, but will still send scouts out.
‘We’ll definitely watch them when we get close to signing them. We still want to watch players live if we can.’