Don Goodman explains why Portsmouth will be happy with Leeds United opener
Don Goodman believes Portsmouth boss John Mousinho will be quietly pleased with his side’s daunting set of fixtures to begin the new season.
Pompey will face all three of last season’s relegated Premier League clubs before the end of September, while they travel to Leeds United in their first match.
That opener on 10 August is arguably the toughest game of the season on paper, with Leeds much fancied, but Goodman sees it another way.
Speaking exclusively to Pompey News, Goodman said: “If I’m John Mousinho and Portsmouth, I’m looking at it and thinking it’s a good time to be playing Leeds and those other teams really.
“The likes of Leeds, Sheffield United and Luton Town won’t be at their fluid best at that stage. So there’s definitely an argument to be had that it’s actually a good time to be playing these teams.
“I remember last season when Leeds were two goals down at home to Cardiff City in their first game [before drawing 2-2], so it shows what can happen.”
Portsmouth thrown in at deep end after fixture announcement
Pompey travel to Elland Road on the opening weekend and then host Luton at Fratton Park a week later.
If Mousinho wanted a steady set of fixtures to begin the club’s first campaign back in the second tier in more than a decade, he certainly was not granted it.
However, as Goodman points out, the likes of Leeds, Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton will take time to get going – or so you would imagine.
The same is true of Portsmouth, of course, as they will no doubt still be working on transfers come late August, but it is arguably better to face Leeds on matchday one than matchday 15.
It is all about picking up points fairly consistently if Pompey are to stay in the division, and there will be ample opportunities to do so.
If nothing else, these fixtures will at least get supporters excited for the campaign ahead.
In other Portsmouth news, Mousinho has raved about the impact made by the club’s new recruits.
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