Hudson ‘out of excuses’ after latest Portsmouth Academy setback
Portsmouth Academy have suffered another major setback with their latest defeat.
The young Blues were comfortably beaten 3-0 against AFC Wimbledon in the Youth Alliance League, after a disappointing period for the team.
It marks the third game in a row that they have lost, and it is starting to put some pressure on Lead professional development phase coach Sam Hudson.
While this stage of a player’s career is ultimately about development and progress as an individual in terms of reading the game and playing their specific positions, there is also a level of pressure on putting out impressive team performances.
Portsmouth Academy are falling way short of that mark at the moment, especially from a defensive perspective.
Sam Hudson is running out of excuses
Portsmouth’s Under-18s squad have conceded 47 goals in 22 games his season, which has become an alarming situation as of late.
The young Blues conceded three goals on Saturday (12 April), which followed a 5-0 loss against Luton Town’s Under-18s, and a 6-0 defeat against Cheltenham Town Under-18s in what has been a tough period for the team.
Speaking to the club’s website after that match (13 April), Hudson said: “The pleasing thing was how we performed in the first half and now the challenge is to rediscover our own scoring touch.”
However, the combination of conceding 14 goals in the past three matches while not scoring a single goal is setting alarm bells off in the minds of many fans, who now want to see an improvement in performances.
That’s something that Hudson will need to work on, as supporters are no longer willingly accepting excuses from him in regards to the results that are being delivered at the moment in the Youth Alliance League.
Portsmouth are fighting on all fronts
While the Portsmouth Academy are currently pushing to improve their results and performances, the first team are equally driving forward to provide more results.
John Mousinho’s men are involved in a relegation battle right now with just four matches to go as they aim to cling onto their status in the second tier of English football.
| Fixtures | Date |
| Norwich City vs Portsmouth | 18/4/25 |
| Portsmouth vs Watford | 21/4/25 |
| Sheffield Wednesday vs Portsmouth | 26/4/25 |
| Portsmouth vs Hull City | 3/5/25 |
Pompey are 19th in the division and just four points above the relegation zone, providing no room for mistakes as they prepare to finish the season in style, while staying afloat, whether it’s by a point or goal difference alone.