Portsmouth boss John Mousinho addresses Nicolas Schmid form concerns amid growing criticism

John Mousinho admits Nicolas Schmid has not all the time hit the ‘really high standards’ set in his excellent maiden Pompey season.

But the top coach is adamant the goalkeeper retains his backing – and is nearing his efficiency ‘peak’ as soon as extra.

In a disappointing season for the Blues, the Austrian keeper has been amongst these gamers who noticeably haven’t scaled the heights of final time period.

However, the 29-year-old has attracted criticism of late following his function in targets conceded towards QPR and Oxford United.

Regardless, Mousinho is unconcerned over Schmid’s dip in form dip.

He advised The News: ‘Nico set really high standards for himself last year and, for the majority of this year, he has still hit them.

‘Obviously there’s all the time going to be disappointment after we concede targets. Nico is one of the best goalkeeper you’d wish to know, all the time recognising every time there’s something he desires to do higher or can do higher – and we’re all the time attempting to work in direction of that.

‘It’s very, very simple in charge when the ball goes in previous the goalkeeper, however there’s an enormous quantity of errors the outfield gamers make as nicely. We need to be higher as a collective to ensure we attempt to prohibit the opposition a bit extra – and sure I do know Nico will wish to hold bettering on his performances.

‘Am I concerned about him? Not really. He set the bar extremely high last year and, as soon as you do that, people expect a certain level of performance, but it’s not all the time going to return.

‘People have their ups and downs in their career and I still think Niko is performing at a decent Championship level. He is just about maybe getting back to the peak he was last year.

‘We have every faith in Nico as the goalkeeper at the football club.’

Nicolas Schmid missed 10 video games earlier this season after fracturing his hand towards Southampton at St Mary’s in September.

Initially Ben Killip changed him in Pompey’s aspect, earlier than summer season signing Josef Bursik took over the reins, impressing within the course of.

Since returning towards Millwall in November, Schmid hasn’t missed a Blues match, though has been unable to a clear sheet since January’s 3-0 win over West Brom.

Mousinho added: ‘We consider every single position every week. Sometimes that position of goalkeeper seems a bit more straightforward, but we’re all the time ensuring issues are aggressive.

‘I don’t need the quantity two, three and 4 keepers pondering there’s completely no probability of him getting within the aspect, however I additionally need the primary to know he’s bought my backing.

‘If we had to make a change, like we did earlier in the season because of the injury to Nico, we also have excellent people to come in and play in that position.

‘Ben (Killip) came in and was really unlucky not to play a bit more, we went with the decision to go with Joe Bursik and he did very well in that period as well.

‘So I think we’ve bought good competitors for the keepers.’