Portsmouth ‘to stay up’ despite multi-million reveal from FA
Portsmouth head into a massive Easter weekend in the hope of acquiring certain safety in the Championship as quickly as possible.
Norwich City are Pompey’s Good Friday opponents at Carrow Road first up (18 April), before a return to Fratton Park on Easter Monday (21 April) to meet Watford.
The Blues have operated on a restricted budget this year while adjusting to the outgoings required in the Championship, but supporters will hope survival can be the catalyst for a loosening of the pursestrings.
The Eisners already declared Portsmouth would not be relegated even back in November with the side were desperately struggling, so it indicates hope that a plan has been in the pipeline for summer squad investment for some time.
Portsmouth commended after what John Mousinho said
Mousinho, who steered Portsmouth into the Championship after over 12 years and now faces the task of keeping them afloat, recently commented on the financial gulf between the division’s teams.
The Blues have taken four points from title hopefuls Leeds United this season, showing on their day they can match anyone in the division.
However, recent FA figures have emerged which showed Leeds have spent almost £19million on agent fees over the past year – the highest in the league by an almighty distance – with Pompey having parted with a little over £600,000 in this area by comparison.
Graham Smyth, chief Leeds reporter for the Yorkshire Evening Post (18 April), shared his take on X in which he praised the job Mousinho has done and added his desire for Pompey to avoid the drop.
Portsmouth have trodden carefully on their budget, with the bulk of their beneficial signings this season having arrived via free transfers and loan deals.
Smyth posted: “If there’s any division where on the day financial disparity doesn’t seem to matter it’s the Championship.
“But over the course of a season, it tells. Mousinho has done a good job. Against Leeds United, especially. Hope they stay up.”
If there’s any division where on the day financial disparity doesn’t seem to matter it’s the Championship. But over the course of a season it tells. Mousinho has done a good job. Against Leeds United especially. Hope they stay up.#lufchttps://t.co/CcLMwndI66
— Graham Smyth (@GrahamSmyth) April 18, 2025
Pompey will be financially sweeter with Championship survival
Portsmouth have four massive contests remaining, and after the Easter weekend, the picture in the Championship will become a whole lot clearer for everyone.
The Blues have two matches left at Fratton Park and two on the road – the latter are what supporters hold out limited hope towards given the record this season on their travels.
| Portsmouth – final four | Date |
| Norwich (A) | 18 April |
| Watford (H) | 21 April |
| Sheffield Wed (A) | 26 April |
| Hull (H) | 3 May |
But with several sides down the bottom facing each other on Friday and Monday, it could do Pompey a favour.
However, the biggest favour Mousinho‘s men can take is from themselves.