New Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has confirmed that he wants to keep Blues striker Joe Pigott at Fratton Park for the rest of the season.

Pigott joined Pompey on a season-loan in the summer but since then has made only 10 starts - five in the league - and 15 sub appearances, scoring five times.

Portsmouth insisted there was no provision for Town to recall the former 29-year-old in January when the deal was done in the summer.

However, a month ago, prior to the sacking of former boss Danny Cowley, the former AFC Wimbledon man had expressed his frustration and said that a conversation regarding his situation might take place if he continued to remain on the fringes.

But Mousinho, who took over at the end of last week, says he wants Pigott, who came on as a sub and scored the final goal in last night’s 2-0 win at Fleetwood, says he’s keen to keep the frontman among his options.

“It’s probably difficult for Joe and Dane to come in with the formation switch to a 4-3-3 where you've got that one centre forward,” Mousinho told the Portsmouth News.

“If you are playing with two centre forwards every week then you need four in the building. If you are playing one you need three — which is what we have now.

“I have played against all three of them and know they are good players, so we’ll work out how they fit into the squad for the rest of the season because they are here and they are good players.

“I want to keep Joe here for the rest of the season too. They can fit into the attacking three, depending on how we play it. You can definitely play with two centre-forwards, you just have to make sure that’s balanced with the rest of the team.

“Say you want to play someone narrow off the right. With Zak [Swanson] that might be quite natural because he can keep going and getting up the right-hand side. It’s just figuring that out.

“I’m not into shoehorning people into the wrong positions just for the sake of it, I’m quite a big believer in making sure you have the right people fitting into the right positions.

“Sometimes there’ll definitely be scope to play around with that and change it, we’ll just have to see how it unfolds.”

Maidstone-born Pigott is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2024.

Photo: Matchday Images

Cakeman added 19:26 - Jan 25 Best of luck to Joe. Never thought he had enough of an opportunity to stake a claim with us. There is a good striker in there somewhere but may need to go back to the likes of AFC Wimbledon to make it happen.
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Ipswichbusiness added 19:44 - Jan 25 I wish Pigott luck, but with Hirst and Broadhead being signed I can't see much future for him here.
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Karlosfandangal added 19:55 - Jan 25 Agree with Cakeman Thought we had got a bargain when we signed him. Not sure how long is left on his contract, but he is further down the pecking order now so can't see him putting on a Town shirt again
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Linkboy13 added 20:37 - Jan 25 Didn't work out at Ipswich and now Portsmouth. If he's going to get a run in any team he's got to earn it which he obviously hasn't. He could start by showing some commitment and desire then he might impress the manager. Kayden Jackson was reduced to training with the under 23s but worked hard and got his reward by becoming a first team squad player again.
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ArnieM added 21:13 - Jan 25 I really want something good to happen to JP… since he left The Dons, nothing has gone right for him in his career and his problems in his personally life over the last 12/18 months is well documented. Good luck Joe …. Hope something good happens to you mate .
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RobsonWark added 00:15 - Jan 26 Good. He was worse than useless for us.
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RobsonWark added 00:19 - Jan 26 Linkboy13 added 20:37 - Jan 25 "Kayden Jackson was reduced to training with the under 23s but worked hard and got his reward by becoming a first team squad player again" Unfortunately for us!!
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Saxonblue74 added 06:26 - Jan 26 He probably hasn't had a fair roll of the dice for a couple of seasons, really hope he gets a good go und the new manager. Linkboy, don't mention Jackson as it rattles Robsonwarks cage! Worse than suggesting to Blueboy81 that coming 2nd is OK!
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Bazza8564 added 09:35 - Jan 26 For "wants to keep him" read, "has to keep him because theres no break clause". I hope JP gets a game but we are now in a situation where we are looking at sending Adhame out because he cant get a game so Joe has zero future here. I believe he signed a 3 year deal initially so expect him to be loans or released on a free in June, we wont get a fee for him
1

blueboy1981 added 12:27 - Jan 26 Not surprised they want to keep him, played to his strengths and game, he is a proven Striker. Good Luck Joe for the rest of the Season and beyond.
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MaySixth added 15:30 - Jan 26 Leave him there and hope he damages Plymouth and Sheff Wed when Portsmouth play them.
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dazza added 15:42 - Jan 26 Whilst acknowledging piggott had a season to prove himself - we weren't providing great service for the strikers last year. Just need to look back at an example like kifier Moore - we all assumed he wasn't up to it - but look what happened there. I also think the general criticism of ladapo follows the same line - as they used to say “feed the goat and he will score” - ladapo and piggott would both be capable if the service is spot on (not just hopeful balls into the striker or box).

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d77sgw added 16:09 - Jan 26 Ladapo is capable anyway. The criticism he gets is as hes not scoring but thats just not the case. From 23 starts (and 10 sub appearances) he's netted 13 goals (League 1 - 18 starts 9 goals).
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Saxonblue74 added 17:18 - Jan 26 d77sgw, agree that Ladapo is the real deal. He's not just about goals, I've not seen a better striker with his back to goal at Ipswich for a long time.
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blueboy1981 added 19:13 - Jan 26 dazza - you're spot in with that ! 👍
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blueboy1981 added 19:17 - Jan 26 SaxonBlue74 …. only people who don't understand the game, criticise and don't rate Ladapo. He's the Real Deal for sure - so much to his game ! Class Act !
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