Mousinho Would Be Interested in Pigott Return
Wednesday, 17th May 2023 18:35

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho says he would be interested in Blues striker Joe Pigott returning to Fratton Park next season, although says the 29-year-old wouldn’t be a 46-game regular for the League One side.

Pigott spent 2022/23 on loan at Pompey making 16 starts - nine in the league - and 28 sub appearances, scoring seven goals.

The frontman has another year left on his Town contract having joined the Blues on a free transfer after leaving AFC Wimbledon in the summer of 2021.

“I don’t know what Ipswich’s plans are for Joe next year,” Mousinho told Portsmouth News.

“I’ve asked him to let us know what that looks like. I don’t know if they want to loan him out or possibly see if there's a permanent deal out there for him.

“But we would be interested in bringing him back and I’ve had a conversation to Joe about that. It’s going to be a case of finances and what he wants to do.

“We really, really value what he did for us this season — and I’ve told him that. I thought he was excellent.

“When we used him as a nine he did really well, while when needed as a 10 or a wide left — as in the last game of the season — he was brilliant.

“He’ll now have interest from clubs that will want to play him for 46 games next year, but that probably isn’t the case here because of how well Colby [Bishop] has done. We want to be honest with Joe about that.

“We’ve been playing one up top and I don’t think anyone would argue Colby fully deserves his place in the side — so that has been difficult for the other two centre-forwards.

“If Joe wants to be right in with a chance of playing 46 games, that’s probably not here, so that’s something he needs to think about. But, if there is an option to bring him back, that’s something we would entertain.”

Mousinho, who took charge at Fratton Park in January after retiring as a player at Oxford, added: “Whenever Joe’s come on, he has been a threat. Considering how little he has been employed over the past few months, he also scored quite a few.

“In all honesty, if he hadn't been sent off against Accrington, I could have seen him nailing down that number 10 role until the end of the season, especially when we played two holders and a 10.

“He was just coming into his own, getting fit and it was an unfortunate time for him to pick up the red card.

“We saw plenty of Joe to like what he offers and he was pretty much always the first sub we looked to to change the game.”

Whether or not he returns to Pompey, Pigott is certain spend next season away from Portman Road, making either a permanent or loan move over the summer.

The Maidstone-born striker has made 14 starts and 15 sub appearances, scoring three times.

Photo: Matchday Images

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1

Vic added 18:44 - May 17 He won't get a sniff here so im pleased for him that someone wants him.
13

WhoisJimmyJuan added 18:52 - May 17 £50k and he's yours would be my response
-2

Radlett_blue added 19:00 - May 17 A year left on high wages at Town. A poor signing who was never good enough for us & isn't good enough to be #1 striker at Portsmouth either. He can go for free if anyone wants him.
0

Hipsterectomy added 19:09 - May 17 £5 and a grab bag of mini cheddars at the bar
-3

MattinLondon added 19:46 - May 17 You'd think that if Pompey wanted him they would have sounded Ipswich out behind the scenes instead of simply saying that they don't know what's going on. Or maybe they are trying to prompt the club to talk.
4

jas0999 added 19:49 - May 17 He will move on in the summer on a permanent deal I suspect. We will probably part finance a deal. Good for him. Good for us.
1

Gforce added 20:02 - May 17 Sell him to the scum,they need a replacement for Pukki !!
3

Saxonblue74 added 20:34 - May 17 Gforce, they've already replaced 33yr old Pukki.....with another 33yr old! Radlett Blue, why do you say he's on a high wage with Town?
0

ArnieM added 20:43 - May 17 “He wouldn't be a 46 league start”, ( Pompey). Well JP I think you'd be better off going to another club. Maybe even dropping down to league two to get a full season and your mojo back. Don't dig in the bench at Pompey!
3

Portman_Pie added 20:57 - May 17 Makes perfect sense to me to buy Colby Bishop and give them Piggott as a make weight deal in the process. Or maybe Pigott and Harness for Bishop?!
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Karlosfandangal added 21:15 - May 17

When we signed him on a free I felt it was good business as he had done well at Wimbledon…. Never really got a chance and it sounds the same at Portsmouth played in different positions.

But then I thought Norwood was a good signing and he was free…..could not understand why MKM wanted to sign Hurst either.

As a Spainish waiter once said “ I know nothing “

Gforce added 22:47 - May 17 Saxonblue......I hope Barnes is a like for like replacement for Pukki,as he only scored around 54 goals in about 250 games for Burnley, which of course is good news for us,but not for the budgies.
5

Ebantiass added 09:19 - May 18 He should leave as hes not got any chance to play with us.. I hope he finds a club where he is the first choice striker.
3

Linkboy13 added 09:25 - May 18 I think McKenna will be setting the bar higher than Colby Bishop who is not proven at championship level .
2

JewellintheTown added 09:37 - May 18 Shame it didn't work out here for him. Don't see him having a chance here again so no point for all to drag this out. Sell/ mutual contract termination is best for all involved.
2

Radlett_blue added 09:39 - May 18 Saxon - Pigott came to Town on a free & we had probably the highest wage bill in League One. Pigott is probably on about £9k a week, which is well beyond the reach of most clubs in that division. Why would even Portsmouth pay that for a player who isn't even good enough to start regularly?
0

JewellintheTown added 10:01 - May 18 Slightly off topic and hopefully Phil can update us all soon, but some drone footage of the pitch upgrade & demolition of the old Staples unit in on the Beeb if anyone's interested. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-suffolk-65627996
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Razor added 10:26 - May 18 I have to be fair and say that when we actually signed him i WAS KEEN AND ENTHUSIASTIC--he was mucked about by us a little and dont think ever fully trusted and basically I think there is a good player in there. He is a better bet than Jackson in my humble opinion and I dont thin k he is finished yet.
1

Ipswichbusiness added 15:35 - May 18

KMc has shown no interest in playing Piggott so it is everyone's interest that he moves on.

Colby Bishop is an example of exactly the sort of player that we should NOT be signing. Last time we were in the Championship, Paul Hirst signed a load of League One players and the outcome was that we were relegated to League One. We need to get rid of our League One players (anyone who struggled to get into our team when we were in League One is not Championship quality) and sign Championship quality players or better. The trouble is that they won't come cheap.

Bazza8564 added 18:11 - May 18

Theres no doubt Pigott will leave but the season isnt even over yet with the playoffs still going on so there so much time for this to play out.
Mark Ashton won't be sending him anywhere on loan when there is any chance of getting him off the books completely, so if Portsmouth want him, they know how to buy him. Otherwise it will be a long waiting game it's 3 months plus until the window shuts.