Alex Milosevic faces ‘now or never’ stage for Portsmouth ahead of Coventry clash
Alex Milosevic has not yet made his debut for Portsmouth despite the shortages John Mousinho has experienced at centre-half.
Central defensive has been the area most heavily struck down by the lengthy injury list at Fratton Park, yet the 33-year-old Swede – signed as a free agent after the transfer window closed – has needed a few weeks to get up to speed.
Having now been included in recent matchday squads, Milosevic is still yet to taste action for Portsmouth, with left-back Connor Ogilvie or midfielder Marlon Pack instead drafted into the centre of the backline.
Milosevic could make debut v Coventry
Portsmouth are now under excessive pressure, as they are pulled back to within four points of the Championship relegation spots.
There are a host of teams battling for their lives including Pompey’s next Fratton Park opponents Derby County (12 April), but first comes yet another difficult away trip, against Coventry City (9 April).
The Blues have lost 11 of their last 12 matches on their travels, their only points within this time having come at Oxford United in a 2-0 win (15 February), and Milosevic remains in wait for his chance.
Pompey fans want to see the towering defender given an opportunity rather than square pegs in round holes, with the defending in Saturday’s loss to Millwall (5 April) called into severe question.
With nine caps for Sweden and a brief Championship stint with Nottingham Forest back in 2019, Milosevic is far from wet behind the ears, and should be expected to come in and perform to a high standard.
Portsmouth away form could cost them dearly
Portsmouth roar out of the blocks at Fratton Park and blow away even the best teams at times – the victory over Leeds United last month a prime example, recorded as the Whites’ only league defeat in 23 games.
If they had maintained more of their home form when on their travels, who knows what Pompey could have done this season given the openness of the division.
| Portsmouth away wins – 2024-25 | Date |
| QPR 1-2 Portsmouth | 19 October 2024 |
| Oxford United 0-2 Portsmouth | 15 February 2025 |
As it stands, Mousinho’s men have been so poor on the road that only Plymouth – whose sole away win ironically came at Fratton Park three days after Pompey beat Leeds there – have an inferior record.
Milosevic is there, so surely has to be used. We can all discuss ‘tried and tested’, but we’re talking about – in terms of his overall career – one of the most ‘tried and tested’ there is in this squad.