Milosevic debut: When Portsmouth new signing is set to finally star
Portsmouth are hoping to keep welcoming back players to full fitness as the run-in progresses in the Championship.
Following Saturday’s 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Fratton Park (29 March), Pompey are now seven points clear of the Championship relegation places, a welcome buffer with two away games on the horizon.
There remains work to do, but the general consensus is that John Mousinho and his team have enough in the tank to secure the unglamorous lower-mid-table finish everyone in a PO postcode craves.
Portsmouth ‘to hang fire’ on giving debut until safety secured
Portsmouth enjoyed the opportunity to welcome back Jordan Williams at the weekend, a versatile defender who hadn’t played since January.
Regan Poole has had to come in and hit the ground running in recent weeks after his lengthy spell out, with Connor Ogilvie the latest unnatural centre-half to fill in the role after Marlon Pack – and it has to be said the by-trade left-back has been excellent.
Alex Milosevic was brought to Fratton Park as a free agent recently and was named in the matchday squad against Blackburn for the first time since his arrival, now adjudged to be up to speed in terms of sharpness to play games.
However, with Poole and Ogilvie having shone of late, and Conor Shaughnessy and Rob Atkinson working their way back to full fitness, Milosevic may have to wait for his chance on his short-term deal.
BBC Radio Solent‘s Andy Moon has claimed (1 April) he believes Milosevic will not get a runout until Championship safety is confirmed, and that it would be “mean” to eventually deprive him of an opportunity.
“Milosevic right now… I think Poole and Ogilvie look good at the moment, but Milosevic being there at least keeps them on their toes, so it’s a useful thing,” Moon said.
“Otherwise, you have to think if and when safety is assured, touch wood, he’ll get a game or two at that point. It’ll almost feel mean not to give him a game when things are hopefully all sorted.”
Lets go @Pompey pic.twitter.com/hNpnW86uCZ
— Alexander Milošević (@MilosevicAlex) March 7, 2025
Milosevic could still offer key role for Mousinho
Milosevic was something of a no-brainer when he became available, with Portsmouth at the time in dire need of defensive reinforcements outside of the transfer window.
The outlook now is slightly different, thanks in part to Ogilvie’s adaptation to a more central role in defence, and positive progress between Shaughnessy and Atkinson for their respective returns within the final seven games.
Milosevic, 33, is a former Swedish international with experience of the top flight abroad, and a limited stint in England with Nottingham Forest back in 2019 at least provides him with a small window into how the Championship works.
| Alex Milosevic – professional career | Total |
| Appearances (club and full international) | 287 |
| Goals | 17 |
Should anymore injuries occur – here’s hoping Pompey have a cleaner bill of health before May’s finale – Milosevic could still actually play a significant role for Mousinho in the run-in.
If not, let’s hope he at least gets a runout when safety is finally secured once and for all – and let the towering Swede potentially use the opportunity as a trial period for a contract next term.