Portsmouth would have ‘given everything’ for current Championship place
Portsmouth sit in a far more precarious position than they did just four days before their last game at Preston North End.
In a rollercoaster six-day period epitomising the unpredictable nature of the Championship, John Mousinho’s side overcame league leaders Leeds United at Fratton Park before losing at home to bottom side Plymouth Argyle (12 March) in what was the Pilgrims’ first away league win.
The late defeat at Deepdale by Preston (15 March) rang medium-decibel alarm bells, given that within that space of less than a week, Pompey had gone from 10 points clear of the drop zone to just four.
Sides behind the Blues are picking up results and key momentum at the right time for the run-in, and although they remain outsiders for the League One trap door, the mere thought of being dragged back into the dogfight is shudder-worthy.
Portsmouth would have snapped your hand off for 17th
Portsmouth commentator Andy Moon, the leading voice on BBC Radio Solent covering the Blues, has delivered his outlook on the team now the dust has settled during the international break.
In his column for BBC Sport (21 March), Moon quickly pointed out that Pompey would have “given everything” back in November to hold this position now.
Pompey sit 17th in the table on 42 points, with Derby County taking up the first relegation spot on 38, having themselves beaten Argyle last time out thanks to a brace from former Fratton forward Marcus Harness.
Moon has also defended the performances of the injury-ravaged Blues side, whose results have oftentimes not been indicative of the wider display – such is the Championship’s utter ruthlessness.
The broadcaster said: “A two-week break might be exactly what Portsmouth needed after the loss to Preston.
“Back in November, Pompey would have given anything to be in this position. Even though Derby and Luton are making a recovery at the bottom, one point a game in the Blues’ final eight matches would almost certainly be enough to stay up.
“Portsmouth are not playing badly, and Blackburn at home (29 March) now feels like a huge match. Boss John Mousinho is right there is still plenty of work to do to secure survival, but most of the bottom eight would gladly swap positions with Portsmouth right now.”
Portsmouth indeed return to action at fortress Fratton Park this Saturday, taking on a play-off-hunting Blackburn side who have, however, lost four of their last five, applying pressure on boss Valerien Ismael.
Blackburn clash an ideal time to rekindle form
Portsmouth are certainly not in a rut – the Leeds game a little over a fortnight ago is still fresh in the minds of many and perhaps too much so.
The two slender defeats since have seen Pompey victims of the fine-margin nature of the second tier once again, having not for the first time played decently and been undone in individual moments.
Blackburn are in a horrific run of form as they come to Fratton this weekend. Mousinho’s side enjoys a wave of confidence each time they walk out in front of a capacity crowd in PO4, and this should be no different.
| Portsmouth – next four fixtures | Date |
| Blackburn (H) | 29 March |
| Millwall (A) | 5 April |
| Coventry (A) | 9 April |
| Derby (H) | 12 April |
Rovers may be in the top half and hunting down the top six, and they may have been controversial winners over Portsmouth in the reverse fixture at Ewood Park in January. But right now, they are a wounded animal.
Ismael knows his days at Blackburn are numbered if results carry on the way they are, and there remains that feeling that a couple more wins in the next three or four games will be enough for Pompey.