John MousinhoImago

Three Portsmouth questions this week include have Pompey turned the corner?

Head of Editorial Standards & Recruitment AUTHORITY Former senior digital journalist at Stats Perform; network specialist in live data, editorial standards, and journalist recruitment. FOCUS Editorial standards, Statscore live data integration, newsroom operations, and recruitment. THE BRIEF Pete brings deep data expertise from his time at Stats Perform to oversee the network’s use of Statscore’s live data, setting the standard for how writers use it to produce original editorial content. He is also responsible for maintaining editorial standards and leading recruitment across the network.

Published on:

19 Oct 2026, 4:30 pm

Portsmouth have bounced back in style from their South Coast derby heartbreak.

Pompey saw bragging rights go the way of Southampton in a 1-0 defeat at St Mary's Stadium on 11 October.

But John Mousinho's side defeated Sheffield United 3-2 in their following game, with Ebou Adams bagging an 89th-minute winner.

Marezi then scored from the penalty spot as Portsmouth ground out a 1-0 victory over Norwich City at the weekend.

It means Pompey are 13th in the table and only three points adrift of the Championship's play-off spaces.

Here, Pompey News looks at three questions to have emerged from the past week.

Have Portsmouth turned the corner?

Defeat to 10-man Southampton stung Pompey fans badly.

But fair play to Mousinho, who has overseen back-to-back victories after that disappointment.

It is now just one defeat in their past six outings, and Pompey are seventh in the Championship form table.

So, have Portsmouth turned the corner after some early season struggles? Could a play-off push even be on the cards at Fratton Park?

Mike Dean reacts to late Connor Ogilvie controversy in Portsmouth v Norwich City

Can Portsmouth learn to kill games off better?

Back-to-back wins are never to be scoffed at, especially in the grind of the Championship.

But the midweek victory over the Blades was not without its difficulties, with Portsmouth surrendering a two-goal lead against the 10 men of Sheffield United before Adams' late winner.

Against Norwich, it was a gutsy victory but Pompey were unable to find a buffer goal to make life a little easier.

Can Portsmouth now find a way to just give themselves more breathing space in these victories?

Should Ebou Adams start more for Portsmouth?

Adams made the telling contribution against the Blades.

But he was straight back on the bench against Norwich over the weekend.

The central midfielder only has three Championship starts to his name this season, but has two goals and an assist to his name.

Does the 30-year-old deserve to be starting more games for Pompey? Or does Mousinho have the right balance in his midfield right now?

It is a good dilemma for the gaffer to have in fairness.

Sheffield United Football Club

Ebou Adams

Norwich City Football Club

Southampton Football Club

Portsmouth Football Club

John Mousinho