Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Thu 13 March 2025 16:10, UK

Portsmouth suffered defeat for the second time in 12 days against Plymouth Argyle.

After the highs of a shock 1-0 victory at home to Leeds United, many thought that Pompey would be able to take that momentum into their clash with struggling Plymouth, though that wasn’t to be the case.

Argyle secured a 2-1 victory against John Mouinho’s side, only made to look slightly better after Adil Aouchiche netted a consolation goal towards the latter stages of the game.

Just 12 days prior, Pompey fell short in a similar game, this time in a 1-0 defeat to Luton Town, showcasing exactly where they need to improve.

Portsmouth must improve against teams around them

While Championship safety is edging closer for Portsmouth, they can’t afford to let their guards down quite yet, and to ensure that they don’t, they simply need to improve in games like this.

Against sides where the pressure is on Pompey to attack, they have often struggled, whereas against the likes of Leeds, the game has suited them to the ground.

Finding a balance between those two types of performances will be crucial for the remainder of the campaign but even more so ahead of the new one.

Their ability to do just that, matched with any recruitment in the summer, could be the difference between another scrap at the bottom or a challenge to finish inside the top 10 as a minimum.

Portsmouth need to find a balance

Heading into the final nine games, some of the pressure has certainly been lifted at Fratton Park, and that should, in turn, allow much more freedom in games.

Portsmouth have showcased the quality that they have on their day, but the challenge now will be to reoplicate that each and every week to ensure they have as strong a finish to the campaign as possible.

A clash with Preston is up next for Portsmouth, who will be eager to get back to winning ways.