Portsmouth fans ‘will be worried by EFL announcement’ v Watford
Portsmouth are set to face Watford in a crucial match for their Championship survival hopes on Easter Monday, but there is already reason to be concerned.
John Mousinho’s side are four points clear of the relegation zone with four games remaining, and a victory against Watford could ensure their safety.
The Championship table is tight in the bottom half, with no team mathematically safe from relegation yet, and Watford are just 10 points ahead of Portsmouth despite being eight places higher.
The meeting between the two sides will take place on Easter Monday, with Norwich up first on Good Friday, but some worrying news has already emerged.
Samuel Allisson to referee Portsmouth v Watford
The EFL have now announced that referee Sam Allison will take charge of Portsmouth’s clash with Watford at Fratton Park.
This is a decision which will worry Pompey fans, given his history with the club in the past.
Allison has taken charge of nine Portsmouth matches, but they have recorded just two wins in that time.
| Stat | Samuel Alisson |
| Games | 9 |
| Wins | 2 |
| Draws | 3 |
| Losses | 4 |
| Yellow cards | 19 |
Pompey have lost their last two matches with Allison as the referee, a 1-0 defeat to Luton in March, and a 3-1 loss to Sunderland in August 2024.
Danny Cowley dislikes referee Allisson
Former Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley previously slammed Allison after an EFL Trophy tie with Crawley in 2022.
Crawley were awarded two penalties, and Cowley was furious with Allison’s decision-making.
“I think that was one of the worst displays of refereeing that I have seen,” Cowley stated of the EFL official after the game.
Pompey fans will remember the clash and Allison’s decisions, and they will now be fearing further controversy in an important game against Watford.
A much more recent issue emerged in the Luton showdown, where the travelling Blues were denied what looked like a clear penalty for handball in the final moments.
Should they lose at home, they could find themselves even closer to relegation danger at the bottom of the Championship, so the Norwich game first up could prove huge.
Allison recently caught the wrath of Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder, too, so he will be hoping for a smooth ride on the south coast, with limited drama.
Hopefully, that can benefit Portsmouth.