Middlesbrough forward Sammy Silvera excited by future after ‘unfortunate’ time at Portsmouth and ‘send him back’ chants

Middlesbrough forward Sammy Silvera excited by future after ‘unfortunate’ time at Portsmouth and ‘send him back’ chants

 

Sammy Silvera believes he is finally getting back to his best after an “unfortunate” loan spell at Portsmouth left him questioning his football future.

 

The Middlesbrough winger endured a difficult time at Fratton Park last season, making just 12 appearances before his loan deal was cut short in January. A mixture of form, confidence issues, and fierce competition for places saw Silvera struggle to make the expected impact with Pompey supporters even chanting “send him back” during a frustrating autumn period.

 

Speaking candidly about the experience, the 24-year-old Australian admitted it was a challenging chapter of his career — but one he’s now determined to learn from.

 

“It was tough, no doubt about it,” Silvera said. “When you go on loan, you want to make a difference, help the team, and show people what you’re about. Unfortunately, for a lot of reasons, it just didn’t work out for me at Portsmouth.

 

“There were moments when I questioned myself — you hear things from the stands, and you know you’re not performing at the level you expect. But that’s football. It was a setback, but I’ve learned a lot from it.

 

“I’ve come back to Middlesbrough with a different mindset. I’m enjoying my football again, I’m working hard every day in training, and I feel like I’ve got a point to prove.”

 

Silvera, who joined Boro from Central Coast Mariners in 2023, showed flashes of his potential in the Championship last season before being sent on loan to Pompey in a bid for regular first-team action. However, his time at Fratton Park became increasingly difficult as John Mousinho’s side battled for promotion, with Silvera unable to cement a starting role.

 

Now back on Teesside, the winger has impressed head coach Michael Carrick in pre-season and featured prominently in Boro’s warm-up games in Austria earlier this month.

 

Carrick, speaking during the club’s training camp, praised Silvera’s attitude and hinted that the winger could play a role in Boro’s Championship campaign if he maintains his current standards.

 

“Sammy’s shown great character since coming back,” Carrick said. “He’s working hard, his quality is showing, and he’s playing with a bit of freedom again — that’s all we want from him.”

 

For Silvera, the focus is firmly on the future. Rather than dwell on his Pompey disappointment, he’s determined to seize the opportunity at Boro and prove he can be an asset in Carrick’s squad.

 

“I’ve had great support from the staff and the boys here,” Silvera added. “I’m in a good place, physically and mentally.

 

“I just want to take my chance when it comes. The past is the past — I’m excited about what’s ahead.”

 

With Middlesbrough pushing for promotion again this season, Silvera’s revival could yet prove a timely boost both for himself and for Carrick’s ambitions.

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