Portsmouth

"This is a derby that is probably underappreciated around the country and people probably don't realise quite how fierce and quite significant it is."

"When you take the emotion out of it and look back on the game, it was a great performance from Pompey but it wasn't a game of high drama."

On the latest episode of the Who Needs Mourinho? podcast, Guy Whittingham joins Chris Wise and Andrew Moon to reflect on the first goalless draw in the south coast derby for 101 years after Portsmouth's visit to St Mary's.

They discuss Pompey's defensive solidity, the latest on injuries to Connor Ogilvie and Nicolas Schmid and the fact that there's no love lost between managers John Mousinho and Will Still.

Listen to the full episode of Who Needs Mourinho? and more Pompey on Sounds.

Tom Chappell
Fan writer from Fournilwrittenalloverit

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

I doubt anyone watching the first south coast derby in the league for 13 years would dispute that Pompey earned their point with interest, and on another day perhaps take all three.

Albeit slower starters in the second half, Pompey largely controlled proceedings for the entire afternoon. It is such a shining light of progress to go to St Mary's and be the better side.

The conditions of both Connor Ogilvie and Nicolas Schmid is alarming but, that aside, it's all positives with four particular top-class performers.

It's a toss-up between Zak Swanson and Andre Dozzell for man of the match for me, incredibly closely followed by the sensational pair of Regan Poole and Conor Shaughnessy, who I thought were exemplary.

Josh Murphy is just sensational, and I still remain in disbelief watching Conor Chaplin back in Pompey blue. A proper, proper coup.

Away from the pitch, it was a completely surreal day. Dawn was yet to break as we headed down to Fratton Park, where 20-plus coaches were waiting to take us on the 19-mile trip.

A Sunday morning at just gone 07:30 sat on a double decker bus outside the North Stand packed full of fellow Pompey faithful was just as bizarre as it was enjoyable.

The powers-that-be from an organisational perspective got it absolutely spot on, wheels began turning at bang on 08:30 and we simply didn't come to a stop until we were well within the St Mary's compound.

The rolling road block and escort of a snaking convoy of coaches was done with real elegance, with zero flash points and sensible pace.

Once out on foot, recognisable Pompey staff and the unfamiliar cohort of our opposition's workforce were nothing but friendly and pleasant - aided by a crackling atmosphere as soon as the 2,700 of us had disembarked.

The salient opportunity for the two sets of fans to face each other was within the stadium bowl itself - signalling the rudimentary gestures and chants befitting of derby day on the south coast.

On another day, Pompey perhaps win that game - which is both exciting and frustrating to consider. I think collectively we were left with a hint of disappointment, which can only be viewed as a positive.

A final word on John Mousinho. He led the team and the club with a real steely determination, and struck me as a leader with a healthy aloofness about him.

Whether that be in the press post-match or his playful interactions with opposite number Will Still, he completely 'gets' both what's at stake and what it means to all those around the world with Pompey in their hearts.

The mentality he instilled in his players was absolutely on the money.

Pompey's start to the season remains a solid one. The opportunity to go four unbeaten beckons this weekend.

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Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth's Conor Chaplin said that he is "excited" at what is to come after a scoreless draw against bitter rivals Southampton in the Championship.

The 28-year-old was a deadline day loan signing for the Blues, returning to the club where he started his career.

He started and played 90 minutes for Portsmouth in what was the first league South Coast derby for 13 years.

"I'm proud of the boys and proud of the football club," Chaplin told BBC Radio Solent.

"We have come to a side that was in the Premier League last season and were a better team for large spells of the game.

"There's a proudness there as well as excitement of what is to come after a result like that. There's a tinge of disappointment too - we definitely could have scored and won the game.

"We had moments and chances we feel we could have scored in both halves, we felt like we were a real threat on the counter attack."

Chaplin, who has returned to Fratton Park on a season-long loan from Ipswich, made his 123rd appearance for Pompey, just over seven years after his 122nd.

The attacking midfielder said that he he had offers from other sides in the division but had his heart set on one club.

"You couldn't write it, the derby is a great occasion to come back to," he added.

"I have to thank Kieran McKenna for letting me back, there was other interest but if I was to go anywhere it would have to be here, I didn't want to play for anyone else in the division.

"I didn't have the same feeling or excitement at playing for anyone else, I want to contribute on and off the pitch while I'm here."

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent

Image source, PA Media

Not a vintage derby that will be talked about for years to come and no one managed a David Norris-style moment but another very encouraging performance on the road from a Pompey team continuing to grow.

In the first half they comprehensively outplayed a Southampton side put together on a budget of many multiples of Portsmouth's, they just weren't clinical enough to find a goal.

Unsurprisingly Southampton improved after the break but found Pompey extremely tough to break down - Regan Poole and Conor Shaughnessy were impressive once again

The concern though will be injuries to Nico Schmid and Connor Ogilvie. To lose either for an extended period would be a big blow as Pompey do not have a deep squad.

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator

Image source, Rex Features

I've worked at St Mary's a number of times for Premier League matches, European nights and England hosting qualifiers.

When has it been the loudest? That's an easy one - 7 April 2012 - the last south coast derby there. It wasn't just the noise it was the intensity of the atmosphere that felt so rare.

£40 tickets and mandatory bus travel to the ground with no food or drink carried isn't exactly what you'd describe as a great "fan experience" for the travelling Pompey fans.

However the 2,700 tickets were snapped up and the Blues faithful will be heard loud and clear.

It's clear there's more pressure on Southampton. Five points from four games is a disappointing start for a side hoping to win promotion.

This is not a free hit for Portsmouth though. A derby defeat would be a huge blow even if it wouldn't completely take away what's been a very encouraging start to the campaign.

It's an opportunity for someone to write themselves into Pompey folklore the way David Norris did 13 years ago.

It doesn't matter that his goal didn't save Pompey from relegation or deny Southampton promotion, we live for the incredible moments as football fans and that was a very special one.

Supporters are still buzzing from the deadline day arrival of Conor Chaplin.

It means another local boy in the dressing room in case players need any reminding how significant the game is, although Marlon Pack has been on that case ever since it became clear the sides would in the same division.

Emotions aside Portsmouth have looked a side more than capable of achieving their objectives in the first month of the season.

In Josh Murphy they have one of the best players in the division and crucially they look a much better side away from home than the outfit that was really struggling 12 months ago.

Portsmouth defender Conor Shaughnessy is feeling confident before Sunday's derby with Southampton (12:00 BST), after Pompey's solid start to the Championship season and a well-utilised international break.

"The lads are looking sharp, strong and we're in a really good place going into the weekend," Shaughnessy told BBC Radio Solent.

The centre-back has been key to Portsmouth's defensive solidity so far this season, having fostered a functioning partnership with Regan Poole.

The duo have started all Championship games alongside each other so far this season, with Pompey registering clean sheets against Oxford and Preston, and conceding an average of 0.75 goals per league game.

"Each [team of ] 11 that's gone out on the pitch has done well defensively in the majority of the games we've played so far," Shaughnessy said.

"We've been pretty resolute defensively and come up against some good sides already and I think we go forward from now knowing that we shouldn't fear any team in this division."

On Sunday, Portsmouth will visit Southampton in a league game for the first time since 2012.

"We know how big it is for the fans and for the club," he said.

"We're really excited, the lads are looking forward to it, we're feeling really good, feeling fit and strong and we just can't wait to get out there on Sunday now.

"We know they're a team coming down from the Premier League so we know it's going to be a tough challenge for us. But coming off the back of the four games we've had, we don't fear anyone."

Listen to the full interview with Conor Shaughnessy and more Pompey content on BBC Sounds

Portsmouth midfielder Marlon Pack has returned to training and not yet been ruled out for the South Coast derby against Southampton on Sunday (12:00 BST).

The 34-year-old underwent knee surgery in August and was projected to be out for six weeks, however his recovery is going better than expected.

"Marlon is good. He's been back doing a little bit of training this week so he's progressing really well," boss John Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.

"Whether he's involved on Sunday or not, I don't know, but he's in a much better position than we thought he would be at this stage."

Sunday is the first time the two rivals have met since Pack returned to the club in 2022, though the veteran is no stranger to a derby day.

"He obviously has grown up as a Portsmouth fan and a season ticket holder," Mousinho added.

"I think he's been to plenty of these games, never played in one of them... I'm sure he'll be excited to be involved in any capacity."

There have been no additional injuries to the squad over international break, with Mousinho confirming that midfielder Adrian Segecic is "fine" despite missing Australia's friendly against New Zealand on Tuesday.

Listen to the full pre-match interview with Mousinho and more Portsmouth content on BBC Sounds.

Southampton welcome Portsmouth on Sunday (12:00 BST) for the first South Coast derby in a league fixture in over a decade.

The Saints may have been a Premier League side a few months ago but it's Portsmouth who have got off to the better start in the Championship this season.

Pompey have lost just one of their opening four games (W2 D1) to see themselves in eighth place, putting them one point off the top six and five away from league leaders Middlesbrough.

While Southampton's re-entry to the second-tier hasn't gone as smoothly as they would have liked.

Similarly, they have also only lost one of their first four league encounters but have equally only won one to see them trailing their neighbouring rivals by two points.

• This is the first league meeting between Southampton and Portsmouth since a pair of draws between the two in 2011-12 in the Championship.

• Portsmouth's only league win away to Southampton in their last eight trips came in January 1988 in the top-flight (2-0), with Pompey losing on four of the other seven occasions (D3).

• Southampton have lost two of their last three home league games in the Championship (W1), as many as in their prior 18 matches (W14 D2).

• Portsmouth have lost only one of their last nine league games (W4 D4), while they've picked up as many points on the road in their previous four matches (8 – W2 D2) as in their prior 19 matches (8 – W2 D2 L15).

• Portsmouth have attempted the most shots from fast breaks in the Championship this season (6), while only Sheffield United (8) have faced more shots from fast breaks so far this season than Southampton (7).

Tom Chappell
Fan writer from Fournilwrittenalloverit

Image source, Rex Features

A first league meeting for 13 years, and the closest the two clubs have been in a league sense since 2005. No wonder then the build-up and buzz this week has been palpable for those that bleed Pompey blue.

This highly-anticipated fixture once on the horizon, now very much around the corner, needs little talking up for the two fanbases involved.

Externally, it may appear a localised dispute that has laid dormant for many years. Internally, it means absolutely everything.

From a Pompey perspective, as unbelievably huge as this game is, and with no excuses made, I feel collectively as a fanbase we head into it knowing the pressure is certainly not on us.

On paper, our opponents beat us nine times out of 10, squad values in terms of reported figures are almost incomparable, and while Pompey have rebuilt for the best part of a decade in the bottom two tiers of English football, Southampton have had a relatively settled stay in the top-flight up until last season.

I doubt I will sleep much on Saturday night, but when Sunday morning rolls round and the hideously early alarm goes, all it will be is excitement from then on in.

I turn 22 a week after this fixture, so I have very little recollection of some of Pompey's previous success away at our fiercest rivals.

Not only does the last cup meeting fester in the minds of Pompey fans, it's felt like a horribly long time since David Norris Day and that generational moment characterised by one strike of the ball from the man who used to be a waiter.

My expectation is a team of Pompey players who will fight for absolutely everything on the pitch - and a fanbase doing the same from the away end.

After 13 years, the wait is very nearly over.

Tom can be found on his YouTube channel Fournilwrittenalloverit, external

Former Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe has some key derby day advice for Pompey players as they prepare to visit Southampton for the South Coast derby on Sunday (12:00 BST).

Defoe boasts extensive derby experience having played in the North London derby for Tottenham Hotspur, the Tyne-Wear derby for Sunderland and the Old Firm derby for Rangers.

"You should get the best version of every player, [you want] bragging rights for the fans and the players," Defoe told BBC Radio Solent.

"It's a one-off game."

Although Defoe didn't play in a South Coast derby having only spent one year at Portsmouth, he has scored derby goals in his career so knows how to prepare for the occasion.

"You have to play the game and prepare like it's any other game," he added.

"I always tried to stay relaxed and play the game not the occasion and then once you've performed and you've won then you can really celebrate.

"[As a] player you find a little bit more, you find extra because of the size of the game, the magnitude of the game."

Listen to build-up of Southampton v Portsmouth from 10:00 BST on Sunday on Sounds.

"[Scoring in the South Coast derby was] the single best feeling in football I've had in my career. [I'm] normally in control when I've scored but that one I just remember running, shouting, swearing, screaming and I just headed straight for the fans. Total head loss."

One of Portsmouth's biggest games of the season is on the horizon.

Former Pompey midfielder and derby goalscorer David Norris joins Chris Wise and Andy Moon on the latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Who Needs Mourinho? podcast to build up to Sunday's short trip to Southampton and reminisce about Norris' derby day memories.

Listen to the full episode of Who Needs Mourinho? on BBC Sounds