Portsmouth fans ‘scratch their heads’ at relegation developments
Portsmouth have been pulled deeper into the fight against relegation from the Championship, through no fault of their own.
Hull City scored a late equaliser against Coventry City on Monday (14 April), with former Pompey loanee Abu Kamara the man on the scoresheet.
A point for the Tigers leaves them just one point behind Portsmouth in the table, with John Mousinho’s side only four points clear of the drop zone.
David Prutton offers Portsmouth admission
Mousinho has got a squad of players together who have proven they are willing to fight for their place in the second tier and take it all the way to the end.
Although the South Coast outfit have picked up some strong results against good sides, inconsistency has been a major theme in form too.
Mousinho hasn’t been particularly helped out with injury issues either, and despite previously having separated some space between themselves and the relegation zone, they are too close for comfort again.
Portsmouth have lost three of their last five games, showing there is certainly still work to be done by the boss if he is going to save his side from the drop.
A 91st-minute Rob Atkinson equaliser against Derby on Saturday (12 April) was a relief, but with the Rams also gaining a point, and now Hull, the fight is far from over.
Speaking live on Sky Sports Football (15 April), David Prutton admitted supporters at Fratton Park may be right to be nervous as he said: “For all Pompey’s good work under John Mousinho, Pompey fans could be forgiven for scratching their heads thinking I thought we were out of this and then suddenly, all the results change again and they’re within touching distance.”
Portsmouth have to hold their nerve
The Championship is proving to be as tight as ever, and it will be a massive fight to survive.
Portsmouth have shown they have the quality to get results and Atkinson getting himself another goal at the right end of the pitch to make up for his own goal was certainly a sign of the character in the squad.
Mousinho’s side don’t have the easiest of games left ahead of them and will, therefore, have to be on top form to keep picking up the results they require to succeed.
| Portsmouth’s remaining games |
| Norwich City (A) |
| Watford (H) |
| Sheffield Wednesday (A) |
| Hull City (H) |
A final game of the season against Hull City could make for some exciting viewing, and given it’s at Fratton Park, that could definitely work in Portsmouth’s favour if it goes right down to the wire.
It looks set to be a nervy final run of the season for Mousinho and his men, but they’re on the right side of the fight for now and have to keep it going.