Portsmouth fans hit out at pre-season announcement – ‘Pathetic’
Portsmouth are already making plans for their 2025-26 pre-season schedule.
The first-team squad are on a well-earned break after earning a respectable 16th-place finish in their first season in the Championship.
However, work has started behind the scenes to ensure they’re well-prepared for the new season when it begins in August.
Portsmouth fans unhappy at pre-season announcement
On Thursday (May 29), the club announced the location of its pre-season training camp and details of three pre-season friendlies.
John Mousinho’s side will visit Bratislava for a training camp, and will host an open training session there on 10 July. However, there will be no friendlies played while the squad is in Slovakia.
The pre-season friendlies announced yesterday are all away from Fratton Park. The Blues will travel to Woking (15 July), Farnborough (16 July), and Havant and Waterlooville (29 July).
| Confirmed pre-season fixtures | |
| Woking (A) | 15 July |
| Farnborough (A) | 16 July |
| Havant and Waterlooville (A) | 29 July |
The fixtures will give the first-team squad an opportunity to regain match fitness before the new Championship season begins on the weekend of 8-10 August.
However, many fans reacting on X were far from impressed with the announcement. One supporter labelled the announcement as “pathetic” while another called it “dull”.
Pompey fans await new arrivals ahead of pre-season fixtures
Although some fans are disappointed by the pre-season schedule, their spirits would be lifted by the announcement of some new additions to the squad.
Portsmouth have been labelled as underdogs in next season’s Championship, and the squad needs improving in this summer’s transfer window.
While it can be debated what positions should be a priority for John Mousinho, it’s generally agreed that he needs to get new players in.
It’s seen as good practice for a club to get their signings in early, so they have time to gel into ahead of the season starting.
So, fans will be hoping to see some new faces by the time these pre-season fixtures roll around.
The return of some old faces would be welcomed too. Indeed, the rumours of Rob Atkinson returning to Fratton Park will please supporters.
There are likely to be more pre-season fixtures announced in the coming weeks, including at least one at Fratton Park.
Ultimately, though, the club’s activity in the transfer window will be more important to fans than who they play before the season starts.