Andrew Moon drops ‘brutal’ verdict after Portsmouth fixtures announced
Portsmouth have been handed a “brutal start” by the EFL fixture computer for 2024-25, according to BBC broadcaster Andrew Moon.
John Mousinho’s Blues will feature in the Championship next season for the first time since 2011-12, and following the official fixture release on 26 June, the club have discovered they will resume second-tier football with a titanic trip to Leeds United on 10 August.
After a Carabao Cup first round hosting of Millwall, Portsmouth then take on all three of the recently relegated Premier League sides along with Middlesbrough, Sunderland and West Brom, all before the end of September.
Moon took to X [26 June] to admit it could be a baptism of fire for Pompey to begin life back in the Championship.
“Wow, that is a brutal start for Pompey,” the BBC presenter and commentator said in a swift but clear message.
Portsmouth begin with tough run of fixtures
Responses from Portsmouth supporters to Moon agreed that the club may struggle in the opening stages of the season, and could even plummet towards the bottom of the table before autumn.
Pompey’s last appearance in the Championship did of course end in relegation – but in circumstances night and day compared to the present time, as administration and liquidation fears blighted the club.
While many of the Fratton Park faithful would be content with a finish anywhere above 21st this season, some are quietly confident – but looking at those fixtures, it may understandably get slightly worse before it gets better.
Portsmouth will doubtless be relishing facing the likes of Leeds and Sheffield United again, however, rather than some of the repeated trips to smaller grounds in the groundhog day era of Leagues One and Two.
What the upcoming games do prove however is that the continued summer of recruitment should see business done quickly, with an accelerated need to strengthen the squad for the tough battles just next month.
In other Portsmouth news, Dan Bardell has praised the club’s “weakening of a direct rival” following the completion of a major signing.
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