John Mousinho reveals latest on Zak Swanson future at Portsmouth
John Mousinho has had to deal with a carousel of injuries and despair in his Portsmouth squad this season.
The head coach and his staff at Fratton Park have taken added acclaim from the Pompey faithful who recognise they have operated with one hand behind their back in their first year back in the Championship.
Portsmouth take on Millwall this Saturday at The Den (5 April) in the first of seven remaining games in 2024-25, aiming to take enough points to safely secure survival.
Mousinho delivers Zak Swanson update
While injuries have forced plenty of swaps and plenty of square pegs in round holes so far this campaign, other areas of the pitch have given Mousinho a selection headache.
Swanson has been a feature for Portsmouth this term, often deployed at right-back in competition with Jordan Williams and more recently Terry Devlin.
The former Arsenal academy star agreed a new contract on fresh terms last summer, which is soon to expire and Portsmouth hold an option to trigger a year-long extension.
Mousinho, speaking to BBC Radio Solent (3 April), has admitted Swanson‘s deal is not top of the list of priorities with the football taking precedence until the season is complete.
“We’re not particularly looking at worrying about that at the moment,” the head coach said.
“The most important thing for Zak and for us is to get through the games.
“Zak has staked his claim to be the starting right-back, so contractually we’re happy and we’ll address it at the end of the year.”
ICYMI Listen back to John Mousinho’s #Pompey injury update (and a word on Zak Swanson’s future)https://t.co/GLXjpyC8d2
— Andrew Moon (@mrandrewmoon) April 3, 2025
Portsmouth have four away games remaining
Portsmouth are likely to have enough in the tank to coast to survival, but the fact four away games are scattered among their final seven fixtures will ring a few alarm bells.
Pompey’s home form this season would be enough to mount a play-off threat; their away record is relegation standard, with just two wins all season.
Millwall is never a place these days to go and steamroll the Lions, who keep a fairly resolute backline, and Pompey must be creative to have a chance of taking all three points.
| Portsmouth – final fixtures | Date |
| Millwall (A) | 5 April |
| Coventry (A) | 9 April |
| Derby (H) | 12 April |
| Norwich (A) | 18 April |
| Watford (H) | 21 April |
| Sheffield Wed (A) | 26 April |
| Hull (H) | 3 May |
On paper, Portsmouth’s trip to Coventry City four days later is even more difficult, given the challenge Frank Lampard’s side are building towards the top six.
Mousinho’s men must be alert, ready and up to the task, or it could be a nervous final few weeks.