Portsmouth round-up: Pompey receive bittersweet news as Colby Bishop ‘problem’ emerges
Portsmouth’s form in recent weeks has took a significant downturn.
In their last three matches, Pompey are without a win, with Portsmouth’s 2-1 defeat to Ipswich confirming back-to-back defeats for John Mousinho’s side.
With Watford up next on Wednesday, the South Coast side are expected to pick up a result and end their bad run of form.
However, as Mousinho prepares his side for the impending test, the manager is set to face multiple challenges.
As a result, Pompey News has rounded up all of the latest stories from the past 24 hours below.
Watford striker Kwadwo Baah is a huge doubt to face Portsmouth
While Portsmouth are struggling on the injury front going into the Watford tie, the visitors also have plenty of concerns themselves.
One such player is Kwadwo Baah, who has become an important player at the Hornets in recent seasons.
During Portsmouth’s 2-1 defeat to Watford last season, the attacker was sent off for doing a ‘Take the L’ dance in front of the travelling Pompey fans.
However, Baah looks set to miss the Portsmouth match on Wednesday after picking up a knock against Hull last weekend.
This is no doubt bittersweet news for the Fratton Park faithful, with many likely wanting to give the Watford star a warm welcome after his insult.
- Read more: Portsmouth vs Watford: Nine players could miss out at Fratton Park amid injury and suspension latest
Ian Darke outlines where Colby Bishop needs to improve
Another problem for Portsmouth heading into the match is their attacking threat.
Pompey has continued to struggle goals this season, only netting five in their first seven Championship matches.
Colby Bishop has been part of this problem, with the usually reliable striker only netting once in the division this campaign.
As a result, Ian Darke has highlighted that Colby’s Portsmouth form is “problem”.
- Bishop’s only goal this season came from the penalty spot
- This was in Portsmouth’s 1-1 draw with West Brom
- Since then, he has failed to score in his last four matches
He said: “You can’t argue with Colby Bishop’s goal return for Pompey, but I don’t think he’s been in great form this season and I do think he needs to add to his ability to play outside the box a little more.
“His hold-up play could be better and his chemistry with the players around him could be a little bit better too.
“There’s absolutely no chance of him being dropped. He’s an automatic starter and maybe that’s a little bit of the problem. You could do with somebody who’s a bit more of a rival for the place.”
John Mousinho: Portsmouth’s home form has not been good enough
Another issue for Portsmouth going into the Watford tie is their home form.
So far this season, Pompey have only won one game at Fratton Park, even losing to Reading in the Carabao Cup.
This is in stark contrast to recent seasons, when the South Coast club’s home form has been fundamental to their success.
As a result, Mousinho is far from pleased with Portsmouth’s recent record at Fratton Park, criticising it in his recent press conference.
- Portsmouth took 40 points at Fratton Park last season
- However, this campaign, they have lost 75 per cent of their matches in all competitions
- With two consecutive home matches on the horizon, Mousinho is hoping their bad form will come to an end
He said: “We are going to focus on the game on Wednesday night first, that is the most important thing.
“Our home form has not been good enough this season, and we need to pick up.
“It is something we have prided ourselves on over the past couple of years. We were very strong last year, very strong the year before, and certainly a huge factor in us staying in the Championship last season.
“It is a bit of irony that we have been much better away from home than at home, but we need to pick up, and we have two great opportunities to do it.”
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest Portsmouth news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account – @pompeynews247