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Ian Darke shares how many wins Portsmouth need to stay in the Championship

Portsmouth fan Ian Darke has one of the most recognisable voices in English football. Born and bred on the south coast, Darke has seen almost everything in the game having worked as a commentator for Sky Sports and BT Sport. He's covered four World Cups and we're delighted to have him join our team of experts at Pompey News.

Published on:

30 Oct 2024, 1:30 am

Ian Darke says Portsmouth need another 13 wins to stay in the Championship this season.

The TNT Sports commentator, speaking exclusively to Pompey News, says John Mousinho's side must look to achieve more than 50 points to have enough to stay afloat in 2024-25.

Bottom-placed Pompey have so far claimed just one win and five draws in their opening 12 matches, totalling eight points ahead of the trip to Hull City on 2 November - worrying supporters on the South Coast.

"In the bigger picture, in a 46-game season, most teams will have a night like - for instance - the Stoke game," Darke said.

"But it will be a relegation fight. To boil it down to mathematics now, you probably need 53 points - Pompey have only got eight.

"They need to find 45 points from 34 games, which is 13 wins and six draws. That leaves some room for error."

Portsmouth have three games in a week coming up

Portsmouth have three crucial clashes separating them from the third international break of the season.

Back-to-back away trips to opposite ends of the map beckon, with the Hull clash followed up on 5 November by a midweek journey down to Plymouth Argyle.

Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho

Preston North End visit Fratton Park on 9 November as Pompey look to climb out of the relegation places.

In other Portsmouth news, David Norris discusses what the club have done with the Premier League in mind.

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