Gossip: Pompey close to Kosznovszky dealpublished at 11:08 11 July
11:08 11 July
Portsmouth are closing in on MTK Budapest midfielder Mark Kosznovszky, 23, with both clubs keen to strike a deal for the Hungarian to move. (Lorenzo Lepore via X), external
🎧 Nature of Ritchie's departure 'curious'published at 08:16 11 July
08:16 11 July
Media caption,
"The fact that he's not here and he's back at home training by himself is curious.
"Fans may be unhappy to see someone high profile departing when Pompey haven't brought many players in."
BBC Radio Solent's Chris Wise talks to Pompey commentator Andrew Moon, who is currently out with the squad on the pre-season tour of Slovakia, about the imminent departure of Matt Ritchie in the first episode of Who Needs Mourinho? of the 2025-26 campaign.
There's also your questions answered in Moon's Musings.
Another departure, impending arrivals?published at 15:28 10 July
15:28 10 July
Andrew Moon BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator
Image source, Andrew Moon
Today, Pompey held an open training session. More than 50 fans were in attendance.
There were a few Slovakians and some expats who live nearby but plenty who flew over from Hampshire.
Some only arrived yesterday and are going home tomorrow! The players happily mingled with them afterwards.
John Mousinho then revealed afterwards that both Matt Ritchie and Abdoulaye Kamara will be leaving the club. Neither are out here.
There's no surprise with Kamara, who barely featured last season. However, Ritchie's homecoming last summer was a hugely popular move and he played 41 times last season.
Another departure means another arrival will be required. There has still only been one so far but there is optimism that might change in the coming days.
'Hopefully 30 is the new 20' - Murphypublished at 10:31 10 July
10:31 10 July
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Pompey winger Josh Murphy on why 30 is the new 20
Portsmouth winger Josh Murphy says he arrives on the club's pre-season tour of Slovakia on the back of the best season of his career so far.
The 30-year-old scored seven times and provided 14 assists in the Championship for Pompey after joining from Oxford United last summer.
"The main thing was the consistency and performing at a good level all season where as before I've just done it in bits and pieces," Murphy told BBC Radio Solent.
"I was very happy with the output but now that's just the benchmark and I want to get replicate again this year.
"It probably took me longer to figure things out mentally and be able to cope with the down times and the good times but I'm now at an age where I've probably found the right balance.
Has Ritchie's time at Pompey come to an end?published at 15:59 9 July
15:59 9 July
Andrew Moon BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator
Image source, Andrew Moon
After four days of intense work in their pre-season training camp, the Pompey squad were given some down time.
Some of the players headed into Bratislava's old town, while others made use of the spa in the hotel. The coaching staff opted for a bike ride.
I even managed a gentle run along the River Danube behind the hotel which separates Slovakia from Hungary.
Winger Matt Ritchie is not here in Slovakia and it appears his second Pompey spell could be coming to an end.
The squad are holding an open training session for fans tomorrow morning. Head Coach John Mousinho will speak to the media after the session, which should provide clarity on the Ritchie situation.
Got questions, Pompey fans? Here's where you can get answerspublished at 11:20 9 July
11:20 9 July
BBC Radio Solent are hosting a fan forum for Pompey supporters on Monday 4 August and would love you to come along.
The panel - chief executive Andy Cullen, men's head coach John Mousinho, women's head coach Jay Sadler and a men's first-team player will face an hour of fans questions at the Victory Suite at Fratton Park from 19:00 BST.
The best part? It comes at no cost, just email Solent.Sport@bbc.co.uk to claim your free tickets (maximum of four per person).
If you can't make it in person, no problem. The event will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Solent and BBC Sounds.
'I've cultivated this envy inside' - Bowatpublished at 10:05 9 July
10:05 9 July
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Defender Ibane Bowat discusses his serious injury and hopes for the season
Portsmouth defender Ibane Bowat says he has a feeling of "envy" after having been sidelined last season with a knee injury.
The Scotland Under-21 international joined Pompey in August 2024 but has yet to make an appearance for his new club after suffering a tendon tear in his right knee the following month.
"Having been on the side for so long, I've cultivated this envy inside me," Bowat told BBC Radio Solent.
"Hearing and feeling that atmosphere at Fratton Park is incredible, I've not really seen it at any other stadiums like that.
"So to be able to step on that pitch is a feeling I'm really looking forward to."
The 22-year-old admits it's difficult to put a timeline on his recovery but "hopes" to be given the all-clear for Pompey's first game of the season against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.
He added: "I've been speaking with the doctors and the physio staff and they are quite confident that it can happen.
"If everything keeps on going smoothly then hopefully I'll be fit and ready."
Pompey not short on numbers but need morepublished at 16:18 8 July
16:18 8 July
Andrew Moon BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator
Image source, Andrew Moon
There's no sign of the British heat wave in Slovakia. Today is the second consecutive day Portsmouth have trained in the gloom and rain - not the 35 degree temperatures usually found on pre-season trips.
Portsmouth have two trialists with the group, former West Brom and Crystal Palace defender Nathan Ferguson and goalkeeper Stuart Moore.
They aren't quite short of numbers but do need further additions in the coming weeks.
Adrian Segecic is the only new face to join this summer and he looked sharp in training today.
Pre-season can be hard work. Some of the players have done two training sessions on the grass and a gym session today.
'Players want to fight for Mousinho' - Segecicpublished at 11:16 8 July
11:16 8 July
Media caption,
Adrian Segecic discusses his move to Pompey
Portsmouth forward Adrian Segecic says that boss John Mousinho gave him "goosebumps" when persuading him to move to England.
The Australian became Pompey's first signing of the summer in June when he joined from A League side Sydney FC.
"When I spoke to [Mousinho], the thing that caught me is how you've just got to look at a manager and know that you just want to fight for him," Segecic told BBC Radio Solent.
"He gave me goosebumps and I thought that's a manager who is going to get the best out of me."
It is the 21-year-old's first transfer having moved up into Sydney FC's first team in 2023 from their under-21's squad.
"It was a big moment. It was the first time I could say in the last nine years that I've changed clubs now," Segecic added.
"I had a good season and a lot of clubs I talked to but there was just something about Pompey I was drawn to."
New date confirmed for south-coast derbypublished at 12:24 4 July
12:24 4 July
Image source, Rex Features
A new date has been confirmed for the first south-coast derby of next season between Southampton and Portsmouth.
St Mary's will host the first meeting between the two teams, on Sunday 14 September - the match was initially scheduled for the Saturday.
The second league game, which will be held at Pompey's Fratton Park, is currently set for the end of January.
Saints were relegated from the Premier League last season, while Pompey finished 16th in the Championship.
This will be the first meeting between the sides since 2019, when Southampton won at Fratton Park in the League Cup, and the first league match since 2012.
Mousinho wants 'five or six' more Pompey signingspublished at 15:48 2 July
15:48 2 July
Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,
John Mousinho is heading into his third full season as Portsmouth boss
Portsmouth still want five or six more new additions to their squad for the new Championship season but they may not happen quickly, says boss John Mousinho.
Pompey have so far signed only forward Adrian Segecic from Sydney FC this summer and Mousinho is willing to be patient in his search for further new recruits.
"It's been relatively slow in the Championship - it's a strange season because there are still Premier League clubs playing in the Club World Cup which is more like an extension of the 2024-25 season," he told BBC Radio Solent.
"Combine that with the under-19s and under-21s (European Championships) it means movement in the market around the Championship is very slow but I expect that to pick up in the next couple of weeks."
After a slow start last season where Portsmouth failed to win any of their opening nine league games they went on to finish 16th in the table and the head coach is predicting a quieter time in the transfer window.
"It won't be anywhere near as busy as it was for the previous couple of summers but if we make five or six more additions we'll be there," he added.
Portsmouth open the new Championship campaign at Oxford United - the club with whom Mousinho ended his playing career - on 9 August.
'Fratton Park a fortress but away form needs a boost'published at 11:54 30 June
11:54 30 June
Media caption,
Neil Allen: 'Make Fratton Park a fortress again'
The News' chief sports writer Neil Allen says Fratton Park helped Portsmouth through their "baptism of fire" last season - but the club need to string together some away wins in their upcoming second season in the Championship.
Pompey won 11 home games in the second tier last season compared to just three on the road.
"We saw how massive Fratton Park was for Pompey because of the atmosphere, the support, the rapport between the team and the fans. Pompey were beating people left, right and centre there," Allen told BBC Radio Solent.
"Leeds lost there. Burnley drew there. Sheffield United drew there. It was a real fortress.
"But they also need to dramatically improve their away form, with three away wins all season, which is terrible and that's in all competitions as well."
Portsmouth will begin the 2024-25 season with a trip to Oxford United before hosting Norwich City in their first home game the following week.
Gossip: Pompey set to complete Segecic signing published at 12:07 17 June
12:07 17 June
Portsmouth are set to complete the signing of Australian attacking midfielder Adrian Segecic, 21, who scored 13 goals in 24 A-League games for Sydney FC in 2024-25. (The News), external
Gossip: Pompey keen on Swift and Segecicpublished at 12:39 16 June
12:39 16 June
Portsmouth are keen on signing former youth player John Swift, 29, after he was released by West Bromwich Albion, while Pompey are also eyeing a move for winger Adrian Segecic, 21, from Australian A-League side Sydney FC. (The News), external