Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has praised the impact and footballing intelligence of his new goalkeeper, Josef Bursik, following a run of three games in 8 days before the international break, as reported by The News.
Bursik joined Pompey from Club Brugge late in the summer transfer window.
No Hiding Place In Hectic Schedule
After signing, Bursik initially remained on the bench. His debut came against Ipswich Town away at Portman Road, marking his entry into first-team action.
His next match was against Watford at Fratton Park. In the third game, Bursik kept a clean sheet in a victory over league leaders Middlesbrough just before the international break.
Mousinho is impressed with his new signing, particularly how he has dealt with such an introduction to first-team action.
The Fratton Park boss said;
“We brought in Joe relatively late, so it’s been a quick turnaround for him and a bit of baptism of fire, making his debut away at Ipswich, under the lights at Fratton, and then facing the leaders.”“He’s performed really well and, certainly from what I’ve seen so far, seems a very level head.
Mousinho Reveals Reasons Behind Bursik
Portsmouth already had three goalkeepers in their squad before the acquisition of Bursik, with Ben Killip and Jordan Archer alongside the injured first-choice Nicolas Schmid.
Bursik had been away from English football since leaving Stoke City for Belgium in 2023, and Mousinho has revealed why he decided to bring him back and add him to his goalkeeping roster.
“You need players to recognise when to play and when not to play. That starts with Joe, and he did a really good job.”
The manager was speaking in reference to Bursik’s performance in the 2-2 draw with Watford and how the goalkeeper changed his approach in accordance with the way the game was going.
“He’s played short when we needed to play short and longer when he recognised Watford were pressing.”“It’s an interesting one because against them, they didn’t press a huge amount until they went a goal down and were then more aggressive. Then, when they were 2-1 up, it was very different.”
Mousinho revealed that a goalkeeper’s kicking ability is one of the first things he and his recruitment team will look at.
“When we’re looking at goalkeepers and their strengths, first of all, their kicking ability, playing out, and that range is really important to us.”“That probably comes second over being able to save the ball – which can be lost these days in recruitment! There’s that ability to command his area, too, but that range comes really high in the priority list for us.”
Portsmouth and Bursik return to action next Saturday evening with a daunting trip to Leicester City.
Writer’s View
Josef Bursik will look to cement his place as Pompey’s number 1 before the return of Schmid in the new year.
Possessing a footballing intelligence and the ability to play different situations and not simply follow instructions does appear to be something that is lost in modern football. Bursik’s ability to understand what is needed and when is a refreshing change.
