Ian Darke reveals what will make ‘fickle’ Portsmouth fans ‘deliriously happy’
Portsmouth supporters were unsure what to expect following last year’s promotion campaign, given it had been 13 seasons since their last appearance in the Championship.
On the whole, most Pompey fans would have taken survival of any kind this season as they break back into the second tier, on the condition that the Eisners continue to adequately invest at Fratton Park.
But had John Mousinho’s side exceeded expectations and hypothetically challenged towards the top six in their inaugural campaign back at this level, the goalposts would soon have shifted and falling away from the race would have risked seeing Mousinho and the squad victims of their own success.
Portsmouth fans will want more next season says Ian Darke
Football analysis expert, TV commentator and Blues fan Darke has explained that while Portsmouth fans who celebrated promotion last year will be “deliriously happy” with remaining in the Championship this season, expectations always rapidly rise.
Mousinho and the squad could be expected to achieve new heights by some next season, regardless of budget or other circumstances.
Portsmouth have been ravaged by injuries this season – more so than most, if not all, elsewhere in the Championship – but have clawed a way to 17th position, seven points clear of the drop zone back to League One.
“The danger is that people’s level of expectation so quickly changes,” Darke admitted, exclusively with Pompey News.
“The levels get raised – at the moment of course the higher the better, but everyone’s deliriously happy if Portsmouth finish anywhere above the bottom three.
“Next time, there’ll be more pressure. People will think the play-off race will be on, and that’s the fickle nature of fans.”
Fratton faithful have nine games left to sit tight
Portsmouth fans are in the main confident that they will not be pulled back in by the relegation whirlpool, having done all the hard work to battle their way up the table.
This has by and large been down to their home form, which did take a blemish when they handed Plymouth Argyle their first league away win of the season on Wednesday (12 March).
The fact it came three days after beating league leaders Leeds United just typified what both Pompey and the Championship are all about.
| Portsmouth wins 2024-25 | |
| Home | 9 |
| Away | 2 |
| TOTAL | 11 |
There are nine league fixtures left to play for a Blues squad largely beleaguered, firstly against Preston North End at Deepdale (15 March) before some members of Mousinho’s roster head abroad for international duty.
Around 53 points is usually required to ensure safety, meaning Pompey would need 11 points from their last nine games to be home and dry.