No longer a Portsmouth 'victim': The timely re-emergence of the man who has solved Blues crisis
From unused substitute to first-team star, Jordan Williams earns applause from John Mousinho
He’s become the unfortunate ‘victim’ of Terry Devlin and Zak Swanson’s flourishing Pompey careers.
Nonetheless, John Mousinho has been delighted with Jordan Williams’ impressive response after stepping in to solve the Blues’ left-back crisis.
The 26-year-old was firmly out of the first-team picture at the start of the month, without a start since December 2025 and condemned to life as an unused substitute for eight consecutive matches.
However, with Conor Ogilvie’s controversial sending off against Oxford United and Zak Swanson’s season-ending knee injury, Mousinho was forced to turn to Williams in Pompey’s time of need.
The former Barnsley man has subsequently started the Blues’ last two matches, racking up two priceless victories and delivering a timely reminder of his talents in the process.
And Mousinho has applauded the professionalism of Pompey’s third-choice right-back - and only-choice left-back.
‘His energy going forward was brilliant too’
He told The News: ‘Jordan has been playing out of position first and foremost, while he’s recently made a second start in four days off the back of a long period out of the side.
‘His previous appearance in the starting line-up was December 20 against Derby, so he has been out of the side, a couple of substitute appearances here and there, but nothing particularly significant.
‘So for him to come back in and do as well as he’s done up against the level of players he has faced, wasn’t an easy one for Jordan.
‘Against Ipswich, he had Kasey McAteer for the opening 58 minutes of the game and then Sindre Egeli for bits after that. Not only was it a very solid defensive performance, I thought his energy going forward was brilliant too.
‘Obviously his preferred position is at right-back and Terry (Devlin) has come in and done brilliantly well, someone who has been extremely difficult to take out of the side, hence we haven’t done it.
‘Terry has been a goal-scoring threat, is defensively very good, attacking very good and really developed his game - so Jordan has been a bit of a victim of that.
‘When we looked at what we’re going to do with the left-back position, Zak came in initially and did extremely well also. So it has been really tough for Jordan to bide his time, to make sure he stays fit.’
Signed from Barnsley in June 2024
Hamstring injuries dogged Williams’ first Fratton Park season after joining from Barnsley in June 2024 on a free transfer.
He has subsequently put those troubles behind him this term, only to find his way into the first-team barred by the blossoming Devlin and Swanson.
Ironically, Williams started the current Championship season as Mousinho’s favoured right-back, lining up against Oxford United and Norwich, albeit soon having to battle with Swanson for the role.
Then, at the start of November following the 4-0 defeat at Birmingham, Pompey turned to Devlin. The Northern Ireland international has since gone on to be crowned the Players’ Player of the Season and earned Goal of the Season honours.
‘Jordan’s a very good pro’
Now it’s Williams’ turn to shine in Pompey’s side.
Mousinho added: ‘To finish the Ipswich game with that intensity after 90 minutes is testament to how fit he is and how well he has done over the past few months to keep himself on it.
‘Jordan’s a very good pro, he trains very well, keeps his head down, asks the right questions and does all the right things - and, ultimately, you get your rewards.’