Regan Poole makes new confession ahead of Portsmouth v Derby
Portsmouth have endured a rollercoaster first season back in the Championship – and they are determined to earn themselves a second.
Pompey have dealt with injuries, postponements, and a contrast between home and away form that has rarely been seen, if at all, at this level.
It leaves John Mousinho‘s side in a precarious position, three points but five places ahead of the drop zone in a massively tight Championship survival battle.
Five games remain, and Blues defender Regan Poole has given an honest assessment.
Poole makes form admission ahead of Derby showdown
Poole was back to his all-action best at Coventry City on Wednesday (9 April) alongside Connor Ogilvie, as the centre-half duo headed, blocked and cleared everything that came their way.
At least, that was, until the 94th minute – when a credible, hard-fought goalless stalemate against promotion hopefuls away from home turned into yet another despairing defeat.
This one the most agonising of the lot, as one lapse from Pompey allowed Jamie Paterson to volley in the decisive strike with seconds to play for Frank Lampard‘s hosts.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent (9 April), Poole admitted the Blues have been “over-reliant” on their results at Fratton Park, but reminded supporters that “it could be worse”.
“We deserved something. This was probably the biggest blow, but now the game against Derby can’t come quickly enough,” the Welsh international said.
“We have been over-reliant on our home form, and if our away form was better then we wouldn’t be in the position we’re in. But it could have been a lot worse had our home form not been how it has.
“It’s still on our hands, so it could be worse. We’re a lot better as a team than we were two months ago, and we’d have taken this position back then. If we win Saturday, then [Wednesday] will be forgotten about.”
Portsmouth need Poole to remain at his best
Poole has been vitally missed for much of the season, as one of a long list of key players to have been dragged back by injuries since promotion.
With Conor Shaughnessy, Rob Atkinson and Hayden Matthews out, and Ryley Towler having not appeared since January, Poole is up there with the most integral players Portsmouth have for the rest of the run-in.
| Portsmouth – final five fixtures | Date |
| Derby (H) | 12 April |
| Norwich (A) | 18 April |
| Watford (H) | 21 April |
| Sheffield Wed (A) | 26 April |
| Hull (H) | 3 May |
The centre-half nearly scored himself in the first half at Coventry, heading Josh Murphy’s corner delivery onto the crossbar, and if one of those goes in against Derby to swing it in Pompey’s favour this weekend, it will be Portsea Island pandemonium.
Five to go; three at Fratton Park. Relying on the home form might not be so bad, after all.