I Think Give Him Time – Former Portsmouth Man Calm On Manchester City Loanee | OneFootball

Ex-Portsmouth star Guy Whittingham has admitted that Manchester City loanee Alex Robertson has not been as impactful in a forward role as he was as a deep-lying midfielder in recent games but believes that he needs time to show his quality in that role.

Portsmouth signed the Manchester City attacking midfielder on a season-long loan this summer and Robertson turned heads with his performances in the deep midfielder role in the absence of club captain Marlon Pack.

With Pack returning to the fold, John Mousinho has used Robertson in a more advanced role, but the midfielder has failed to impress in that role so far.

Whittingham admitted that the Manchester City loanee has failed to make the same impact in his new role as he did as a sitting midfielder, but pointed out that Robertson initially struggled when he was first deployed to play a deeper role.

The former Pompey star is confident that, given time, the 20-year-old will settle into his role and become the player he is.

When asked whether Pack’s return to the team has affected the Manchester City youngster’s performance, Whittingham said on BBC Radio Solent: “Yes, he is not having the same type of game and influence on the game that he was having in a deeper role.

“But I still think, give him time; he did not play well immediately in that sitting midfield position.

“So I do think, given time, he will be the player that we think he is.”