After announcing three new signings last week - plus Marlon Pack’s contract renewal - the Blues started July by welcoming another new addition to the fold.
Middlesbrough winger Sammy Silvera has arrived on a season-long to bolster Pompey’s attacking options ahead of their Championship return. The Australia international is highly-rated at the Riverside Stadium. But with competition for places at Boro set to intensify this season, the decision to grant the 23-year-old a loan move to aid his development was sanctioned.
Pompey will hope to maximise Silvera’s obvious potential at Fratton Park - something they’ve mastered in recent seasons with the likes of Abu Kamara, Alex Robertson and Di’Shon Bernard during their PO4 loans.
But what exactly will Kusini Yengi’s Socceroos team-mate bring to the table at Fratton Park? How will he fit into John Mousinho’s system? And what’s going to get supporters off their seats when he’s on the ball?
Well, once again, we’ve enlisted the help of PFSA Level 2 technical scout & performance analyst - plus social media influencer and Pompey fan - @SonStats to find out. Here’s his breakdown of the exciting 23-year-old’s game.
13. Tactics 4 continued
When the final delivery comes in, Paddy Lane should make a move towards the edge of the box for the cutback if Sparkes is crossing from out wide otherwise he will be tasked with running towards the front post if Silvera delivers. Robertson could also gatecrash the 18-yard box with a late run if Sparkes crosses from deep. With the opposition left-back likely to mark Lane in a four-man defence, this leaves the far-side attacker free to attack the far post, which should be Callum Lang. When we have settled possession on our left-hand side, Lang would occupy the far-side corridor with Lane positioned in the right half-space. This makes it easier for Lane to run onto cutbacks and the angles suit a left-footer towards the centre of the box. The rest-defence should be a 3–2/3–1 structure when against a team that defends 4–4–2 out of possession, with Poole tucking in alongside the two centre-backs and Pack man-marking the opposition attacking midfielder. Robertson has a more flexible role where he can either gatecrash the penalty area or be utilised as the extra man in the rest-defence depending on the state of play. | @SonsStats
14. Final thoughts
I’d class this signing as a rather smart piece of business, a rather low-risk deal that could have massive benefits if Silvera is able to gain rhythm. I’m happy with having him and Josh Murphy as our left-wing options. He probably played more football last season than what was originally planned, with Middlesbrough suffering their fair share of injuries. It can be tough adapting to a new country, but six goals and three assists is still a respectable figure. I have confidence Silvera do well at Fratton Park next season. | Getty Images