Portsmouth visit Watford on Boxing Day

View: Portsmouth must put inconsistency behind them and take game to Watford

Dan is a sports writer and broadcaster, who wrote for Breaking Media Limited's club sites including Pompey News between May 2024 and May 2025. Graduating from the University of Huddersfield in 2018 with First Class Honours in Sports Journalism, Dan has worked with several EFL clubs, as well as with BBC Radio, talkSPORT and TNT Sports. He previously resided in Sydney, Australia, where he continued his career as a freelancer in various sports. Dan was born and raised in Portsmouth, comes from a Pompey-supporting family, and was in attendance at both of the club's FA Cup finals in 2008 and 2010.

Published on:

26 Dec 2024, 3:30 am

Portsmouth approach the Boxing Day fixture at Watford in inspired spirits, off the back of their home victory last time out.

Pompey put the dismal defeat by Derby County [13 December] swiftly behind them as they came from behind to hammer Coventry City 4-1 at Fratton Park last Saturday [21 December], Callum Lang of course starring with all four of the Blues' goals.

While the performance - particularly from Lang himself who has been a shining light - was a real high point of the season, it also again demonstrated what John Mousinho's side are capable of and it has not been shown enough in the Championship.

Boxing Day pits Pompey with the Hornets at Vicarage Road and Tom Cleverley's Watford outfit are among those in the play-off hunt with 34 points from 21 games.

But Portsmouth will have enough to nick something in the festive clash if they can show that same belief and organisation on the field that they did against Coventry.

Portsmouth punished Coventry and must take it into Watford

Coventry boss Frank Lampard was among those to offer their dues to Mousinho and Pompey following what turned out to be a comprehensive win in the final offering for Blues fans before Christmas.

A fired-up away crowd will take to the visiting end at Vicarage Road with the hopes still shimmering that their side can take all three points.

Any complacency has to be capitalised upon. Portsmouth have the players who can hurt Watford going forward; certain members of the squad with experience are now consistently delivering. But in the Championship, the whole team must deliver to garner constant results.

Callum Lang joined Portsmouth from Wigan in January 2024. [Credit: Imago]

There is no point taking a big leap forward only to be pushed back once again. While satisfying to cancel out Derby with the Coventry success, the corner can only be considered to be turned with a positive result at Watford.

There have been days against some of the EFL's very best from which Pompey have emerged desperately unlucky to have nothing to show for their efforts. But now is the time for consistent points on the board, and that survival battle may not be so bad after all.

In other Portsmouth news, Colby Bishop needs time to return to his excellent best.

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