Simon Thomas sends message to Portsmouth on ‘special day’ for Pompey
Portsmouth supporters celebrated 127 years of their beloved Blues’ existence over the weekend, but ultimately spend it dejected after a late defeat by Millwall.
Pompey have yet again been dragged back into the survival picture in the Championship courtesy of the loss at The Den on Saturday (5 April), just when it looked as if John Mousinho‘s side have done enough.
Mihailo Ivanovic’s double proved enough to condemn Portsmouth to their 14th away defeat of the campaign, either side of an Andre Dozzell equaliser which briefly looked to be grabbing a point in South London.
Portsmouth mark anniversary with disappointing defeat
Portsmouth are once again left licking their wounds after another empty-handed away fixture.
Pompey are now only four points above the Championship relegation zone despite their position of 17th, and could stay up purely by virtue of the number of teams competing alongside them for survival.
The Blues’ home form would be enough to contend for the play-off places, yet they have the second-worst away record in the league – superior only to Plymouth Argyle by a single point, and Plymouth were one of few teams to actually win at Fratton Park this season.
Mark McAdam, covering the match in-vision for Sky Sports News on Saturday afternoon (5 April, 16:41), pointed out the anniversary celebrations at Pompey and how they coincided – for just seven minutes as it turned out – with Dozzell’s equaliser.
McAdam: “You can hear the Portsmouth fans on the far side because it’s a special day for the football club. They’re 127 years old today, and they’ve got an equalising goal.
Host Simon Thomas, a supporter of Norwich City, responded with his well-wishes to the Blues: “Wishing a very happy birthday to Pompey, that’s for sure.”
Mousinho and squad have to figure out travel trouble
Mousinho and the team have already come under plenty of criticism for yet another away defeat in the Championship, which is putting their place in the division under genuine threat.
It is quite remarkable how stark the contrast really has become between ‘Fortress Fratton’ and ‘travel trouble’ – though Millwall are one opponent in particular who figured out how to beat the Blues home and away.
There remain six fixtures now between Pompey’s establishment as a Championship outfit again and the end of the season – three at home; three away.
| Current EFL clubs founded in 1898 | Division |
| Portsmouth | Championship |
Two of the home trio include Derby County and a season finale against Hull City – two potentially decisive matches from which Pompey must get the win to ensure safety.
It was a down day on this particular year’s anniversary, but hopefully Mousinho’s Blue Army have enough in the tank to see out survival.