The Fratton faithful should disregard the ‘negative comments’ and warmly welcome Jordan Williams, a player of Championship calibre.
Andy Giddings, a football commentator for BBC Radio Sheffield, believes the new Blues’ signing has been unfairly criticized due to being played out of position last season. Despite being a seasoned right-back or right wing-back, Williams was positioned as a right-sided centre-half for much of the campaign to address Barnsley’s defensive issues. This change led to some criticism from Tykes fans, primarily due to the mistakes that occurred in his unfamiliar role.
Giddings, however, is confident that Pompey has secured a true Championship player, now in his proper position. He explained, “You may have seen some negative comments about his performances this season. While he had his moments and made some mistakes, it’s harsh and possibly even sour grapes over him not staying. Barnsley’s defensive unit changed this season, and he was the sacrificial lamb.”
Williams was a standout right wing-back under Michael Duff, but last season he had to adapt to a different role. This shift, combined with the overall instability of Barnsley’s defense, unfairly made Williams a scapegoat for the team’s shortcomings. Despite some individual errors that led to goals, his performance was not worse than his teammates. The defense was weakened due to the departure of key players like Mads Andersen, Liam Kitching, and Bobby Thomas, and Williams stepped in to fill the gaps as best as he could.
Williams, who joined Barnsley from Huddersfield as a teenager in 2018, made 201 appearances for the club. Last season alone, he featured 52 times. On Friday, he signed a three-year deal with Portsmouth. Giddings praised Williams, saying, “He’s a good guy, vocal, professional, and a leader. Pompey has signed a solid player, one who has always been among Barnsley’s top performers. It’s not surprising that he’s back in the Championship.”
Portsmouth can expect a reliable and consistent player in Williams, one who has shown he can perform at the Championship level. As Pompey looks ahead, Williams is set to be a valuable asset, bringing experience, stability, and professionalism to the team.
