Credit: Imago

Carla Devine

Sun 23 March 2025 17:00, UK

Portsmouth have struggled in the Championship this season although have risen to 17th in the table as they seek safety from relegation.

Pompey are just four points from safety though and there is plenty of work to be done in the closing weeks of the season if they are going to remain in the second tier.

Since the winter transfer window, John Mousinho’s side have upped their standards but a recent slump in form again leaves a nervous few weeks ahead.

Mousinho admits Portsmouth problem

After slipping all the way down the football league pyramid, it’s not been the easiest period for Portsmouth in their recent history.

Now the South Coast side sit in the second tier of football, those at Fratton Park deserve plenty of credit for their efforts.

Portsmouth may be struggling this season but relegation could be seriously damaging for the long-term hopes of the club and therefore, the standards cannot drop in the remainder of the season.

During the winter transfer window, there was backing from the hierarchy who brought a number of new players to the club in the hope of increasing Portsmouth’s efforts at survival.

Three losses in their last five games though has seen the club lose their distance from the relegation zone and although there may be four teams separating them from the drop, with the points that close it could go in any direction.

Mousinho has defended his side’s struggles as he made comparisons to other teams in the league, detailing to the News: “We’ve spent a huge amount on the training ground and Fratton Park. Fratton has cost an absolute fortune to keep it going. That’s amazing for us because it’s such an amazing stadium and brilliant place to play.

“That and all the other things at the football club are coming directly out of the owner’s pockets. That’s fine, they completely understand that and are willing to commit to that. At the same time we have to take that understanding that we’re not where some other football clubs are. We’re a football club who’ve been on the brink very recently in their history.

“We didn’t have a training ground through the Premier League years and Fratton Park’s capacity was going to be reduced to 10,000 without the required work. We’re playing catch-up because of what happened with the football club previously.

“I know that is frustrating for some people, but we can’t risk going back there. We have to do the right things and I think at the moment we’re getting there and doing it properly. That’s really admirable and, honestly, all I’ve had from the owners since I’ve been here is total backing.”

Portsmouth have to stay in the Championship

Mousinho makes a lot of valid points about where Portsmouth find themselves as a club compared to some of the other teams in the Championship.

If you compare the finances of Pompey to those of Leeds United, who they recently beat 1-0, they are worlds apart so to be in the Championship is a massive achievement.

However, their promotion to the Championship was not an overnight success that happened unexpectedly.

Portsmouth spent seven seasons in League One before making the step up to the second tier with promotion being the aim year upon year.

With that in mind, you would have expected those higher up at the club to have made a long-term plan in terms of finance and facilities in order to make sure that when promotion was achieved, it could be sustained.

Should Portsmouth get relegated, there is no guarantee that they would come straight back up, especially with some big spenders in League One now and as a result, the club could be left at a crossroads when considering what they want their future to look like.

There should be plenty of credit for those who have got Portsmouth to the position they are currently in but there cannot be a reliance on being an underdog in the league to classify as an excuse for dropping standards.

If Portsmouth can retain their position in the Championship, that is one of the hardest tasks done and building upon that could be an easier task.