Andersen happy to stay busy

Pompey goalkeepers have become used to being rather more busy in recent times.

Ex-Blues number one David James would often talk about the difficulties he faced in dealing with long periods of inactivity as Sol Campbell, Sylvain Distin, Glen Johnson and Hermann Hreidarsson secured another clean sheet in front of him.

James certainly played his part in many of those shut-outs but he always needed to feel involved in a game and would ease his boredom by occasionally coming for a cross that he had little chance of collecting.

Yet Mikkel Andersen is having no such dilemma at present.

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If he thought he’d have an easy life when he made his summer loan move from Reading, the Dane has had a sharp wake-up call – especially after the first-half barrage he faced in the 2-1 defeat to Swindon on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old seemed to be a one-man barrier at times, but while he pulled off some terrific saves, he then blotted his copybook when beaten at his near post by Matt Ritchie on the stroke of half-time.

Unfortunately, as all goalkeepers will testify, those good saves are quickly forgotten when you let one in that you should have kept out.

But while Andersen’s fellow countryman and goalkeeping idol Peter Schmeichel would often be furious that his defenders had allowed a shot at his goal, Andersen has no complaints about being kept busy in his loan spell at Fratton Park.

He said: ‘I like to be involved in a game.

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‘I was pretty busy in that first half against Swindon but I don’t mind that. It’s my job.

‘It could be completely different at Notts County on Saturday and I may only be needed to make one save.

‘That could be the difference between getting a result and not going home with anything.

‘Sometimes those games are harder and you have to keep your concentration for the whole game even when you’re not involved.

‘But that is what makes a good goalkeeper.

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‘If you have nothing to do and then make a save when you are needed, those are usually the best goalkeepers.

‘You want to be seen and to show everyone what you’ve got.

‘At the moment, I’ve got the chance here and hopefully I will keep playing.’

It’s been a tough baptism for Andersen – particularly as the defence in front of him changes every game.

But he is hopeful he can put down roots for the season and that Pompey will soon find a settled side to climb the League One table.

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He said: ‘We’ve got a lot of players coming in and maybe that affects some people, but that is part of how things are at the moment.

‘But it’s not far away with this team. We’re just in a rough spell.

‘I’m enjoying it here but it’s hard to say what is going to happen each month.

‘I want to play games and this is the best place to be for me at the moment.

‘I’ve come here to play games. Portsmouth is a massive club and I enjoy being here.

‘I’m enjoying every second of it.’

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