In his side’s thrashing of Northampton, the Pompey fan favorite provided a moment for the ages.
After writing himself into Fratton mythology, Christian Saydee has been challenged to maintain his new high.
Following his devastation of Northampton Town, John Mousinho has entrusted the great fans’ favourite with rising to the challenge of being a Pompey player.
Saydee delivered a wrecking ball performance at Sixfields that was savage, even by the standards the 21-year-old has established since joining PO4 last summer.
The Londoner’s performance included a moment for the ages in the first half, when he smashed through the Cobblers back line, with defenders bouncing off him in futile attempts to stop him.
Mousinho is fully aware Saydee has that kind of ability in his locker, with Pompey fans lapping up similar forceful moments this term.
Now the Blues boss wants to see consistency from the Bournemouth signing’s game as he gets set to build on his latest showing in the top-of-the-table clash with Bolton next Monday.
Mousinho said, ‘Christian gives us everything; he gives us absolutely everything. It’s easy to forget that he’s only 21.
‘He’s had a couple of stints on loan, obviously, but I don’t think he’s had the stints where the demand is on him as it is at the moment.
‘You’re playing for Portsmouth now, and you need to be at it every single minute of every single day.
‘He provides us with something very, very different—he makes things happen.
‘There was that moment in the first half where the only disappointment was he didn’t take the chance and shoot earlier, I suppose.
‘But he has that; he has quality as well and his work rate is right up there.’
Saydee has now firmly settled in a withdrawn attacking role, which few saw him operating in when he joined Mousinho’s men last summer.
The former Shrewsbury man has 20 appearances under his belt, but his playing time has been managed with back-to-back starts in quick succession seen as a challenge.
Mousinho feels that’s an area to work on moving forward.
He added, ‘Sometimes we’re on him to keep his fitness up and get his work rate going.
‘But he’s in a position where he has to lock on to the midfielder, and it was three midfielders in Northampton’s case who are good players. So that side of the game is really positive for him, too.
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