View: Portsmouth could secure handy FA Cup windfall – how much could they earn?
Portsmouth need to start winning games consistently if they want to survive in the Championship, and that hasn’t been happening.
John Mousinho ended November with a 2-2 draw at Swansea after the 3-1 win over Preston on 9 November but was embarrassed in the heavy defeat at Derby.
With the FA Cup around the corner and Pompey entering the third round stage, the potential for wins and extra windfall is welcomed at Fratton Park.
Portsmouth will take on League One high-fliers Wycombe at Adams Park on 10 January, as they look to build confidence to help their survival bid.
How much could Pompey earn in FA Cup?
After skipping the opening two rounds, the Blues could earn £115,000 if they simply beat Wycombe, which is easier said than done given their form [FA].
Having not lost in League One since August, the Chairboys will be confident of ignoring the league tables, as the FA pay the losers in this round £25,000.
The windfall on offer has actually increased this year.
With the motivation to win games staying the same, having that extra financial incentive boosted by the FA will also push clubs to perform at a higher level.
After losing in the first round against Chesterfield last season, Mousinho missed out on the £41,000 on offer to the winners at that stage.
The season before that was much more positive, with wins against Hereford and MK Dons setting up an away trip to Tottenham, which ended in a 1-0 defeat.
Those two wins alone would have been worth £108,000 [FA].
What windfall is on offer if Portsmouth go further?
On paper, taking on a League One side should hand Pompey the advantage to go further than expected in the FA Cup, and that will be demanded at Fratton Park.
Looking at the windfall on offer, another so-called lucky draw or two could send the Blues on their way towards the later rounds with big money to be earned.
With the winners picking up £115,000 in the third round, it goes slightly higher to £120,000 if you win again in the fourth round.
After that is when the big jumps occur, with £225,000 and £450,000 available to the winners of the two rounds that follow.
Of course, no one expects Pompey to go this far but after Coventry made it to the semi-finals last season, doors are opening for Championship clubs to succeed in this competition.
A decent cup run is the least these “Unbelievable” fans deserve.
In other Portsmouth news, David Norris believes having two games postponed provided a benefit.
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