Paul Merson shares Portsmouth promotion verdict live on Sky Sports as Pompey draw v Derby
Paul Merson is sure Portsmouth will win promotion to the Championship this season.
John Mousinho’s side came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with second-placed Derby County at Fratton Park on Tuesday night, meaning Pompey go into their final five League One games with nine points separating them at the top and Bolton in third.
Ahead of the top-of-the-table clash, Merson spoke highly of his former club and strongly backed them to finish off the job and return to the Championship.
After being asked what it would mean for Portsmouth to win promotion, while speaking on Sky Sports News on Tuesday night (2 April, 07:35pm), Merson said: “[It’d be] massive.
With the support they’ve got, it’s phenomenal. They need to be back in the Championship. They will be back in the Championship – I’ve go no doubt about that.”
Do Portsmouth have automatic promotion to Championship in the bag?
Portsmouth’s gap to third looks insurmountable now for Bolton or anyone else in the chasing pack.
It means that automatic promotion is as good as won – but it cannot be confirmed until next week.
Seven points will do it for Pompey but a win in their next two games against Shrewsbury at Fratton Park on Saturday 6 April and then away at Bolton (13 April) will surely finish off the job.
It definitely raised eyebrows when Mousinho came in at Pompey last year but my word, has he done the job.
In other Portsmouth news, the women’s side have announced a new signing that should see them over the promotion-winning line.
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