Portsmouth coach bemoans ‘complacency’ after what he saw
Portsmouth Academy are progressing relatively well in the Youth Alliance League this season, especially with many teenage talents stepping up into an older age group.
Sam Hudson’s Under-18s recently overcame Bristol Rovers 4-2 to secure a seventh win of the season, with several players beginning to impress.
Pompey are 12th in the southern section of the league, which comprises scholars and excelling Under-16 players adaptable to the older standard.
Hudson makes honest assessment after 4-2 win
Hudson is always transparent with his eager young charges at Fratton Park, who beat Bristol Rovers for the second time in a fortnight on Saturday (22 February).
Tayo Singerr, who has been touted for John Mousinho’s Portsmouth first-team, added a 15th goal to his personal tally in 2024-25, while Nathaniel Chioma bagged a brace and Chinedu Agu got his name on the scoresheet.
Hudson admitted his side have struggled to get going at times and blasted the complacency of the players at times, but credited a dominant performance with a “real focus”, adding Pompey performed well for “75 per cent” of an entertaining encounter in the West Country.
“I’ve spoken in recent weeks about how it’s taken us a while to really get going in games. So it was incredibly pleasing that we were excellent in the first half and the build-up along the back-line was great – we dominated the ball,” the coach told the Portsmouth FC official website.
“It probably helped that we’d played them so recently and that meant we could have a real focus on what we’d done well last time and where we needed to improve.
“We started the second half sloppily and I’m not sure the reason why – perhaps there was a little bit of complacency. We were probably good for about 75 per cent of the game and we just need to make sure we find a ruthless edge to hurt teams when we’re on top.”
Portsmouth players realise first-team chance
Portsmouth Under-18s will be fully aware that they are the next in line behind Mousinho’s senior side, a fact Hudson will regularly be drilling into the players.
There is no under-21 side at Portsmouth, something which has previously been called into question of the football operatives of the club including Rich Hughes.
But it does mean the scholars have a direct route should they prove themselves to be worthy of a place in the squad.
Several players have travelled with Mousinho’s party this season, with Harry Clout making his debut in the FA Cup defeat by Wycombe Wanderers on 10 January while Michael Ani was on the bench.
That is the stage when it all begins to feel real, and will serve as excellent motivation for a group of players hoping Portsmouth stay up with a few games to spare this season – it would certainly bolster their chances of getting a runout to the Pompey chimes.