Credit: Imago and Ian Darke on X

Jack Dawson

Mon 8 September 2025 19:30, UK

Portsmouth news continues to circulate despite the ongoing international break.

Pompey had a successful August, which was rounded off by a busy deadline day last Monday.

Now, with the South Coast derby on the horizon, Portsmouth are looking to overcome Southampton at St. Mary’s.

As a result, plenty of news is coming out about the impending clash on Sunday.

Therefore, Pompey News has rounded up all of the latest stories from the past few days.

Ian Darke: There will be a lot of hatred between Southampton and Portsmouth fans

Portsmouth are hoping to see their side win their first match against the Saints since 2010.

However, with the last South Coast derby occurring in 2019, tensions are high going into Sunday’s match.

As a result, Ian Darke has sent a message to Portsmouth and Southampton fans explaining that he hopes any crossfire stays verbal.

He said: “Going to be a lot of hatred and verbal crossfire this week between Saints and Pompey fans. But it’s great the Derby is back on.

“Hope it’s a memorable day and match, and the crossfire stays verbal.

“In frenzied atmosphere, vital to keep 11 players on pitch.”

Read more: Southampton forward and Matt Doherty – Three players Portsmouth could sign for free in 2026

Regan Poole: We are disappointed that Portsmouth aren’t sitting second

Ahead of the match, Portsmouth are no doubt in fine form.

Pompey are currently eighth in the Championship table and are just one point off the playoffs.

However, this is not enough to satisfy Regan Poole who has explained that Portsmouth are disappointed not to be second in the Championship at the moment.

• Portsmouth are currently one point off the playoffs in eighth
• Pompey have won two of their first four Championship matches, drawing one
• Mousinho’s side did however crash out of the Carabao Cup to Reading

Previewing the Southampton match, he said: “I can’t wait. We’ve put ourselves in a really good position, and confidence is very high in the group. Bring it on.

“I’ve been told a lot, the skipper (Marlon Pack) has told us a lot about the game. Obviously it hasn’t happened for a while, it’s really good to have it back.

“It’s something for the fans to look forward to. They (Pompey fans) have sold it out in seconds like always where it sells out at this club. Really looking forward to it, good break now to reset.

“We’ve put ourselves in a great position. This is the difference between this season and last season, I think we’re kind of looking up and quite disappointed really that we’re not sat second in the table on 10 points.

“Hopefully everyone is looking forward to it and we’ve got full focus on that game. Really good start, really positive start so bring it on.”

Kieran McKenna: Conor Chaplin may still have a future at Ipswich Town

One player who could make his debut against Southampton is Conor Chaplin.

The attacking midfielder joined Portsmouth on deadline day on loan from Ipswich Town.

Chaplin had previously played for Portsmouth until 2019 after coming through the academy.

However, manager Kieran McKenna believes that Chaplin may still have a future at Ipswich despite the late move away.

He said: “We spoke about those things a lot. He had an opportunity for his personal life, his career, to go and play regularly at a club he has an affinity for, and rack up those regular starts and, hopefully, goals again.

“That was a difficult one because you know you’re losing an unbelievable person from the dressing room who would have helped us this year. But I think it’s right that his desire to do what’s best for his career is understood and listened to.

“He hopes – we hope – that the door is very much still open here and that we haven’t seen the last of him.”

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