Portsmouth

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Are Portsmouth a year wiser with a squad that has learned about the Championship or could we see second season syndrome?

They will be hoping it is more of the former next season, so what transfers are required this summer to ensure a successful campaign?

It is worth reflecting on last summer's recruitment - that window was heavily criticised after the poor start to the season.

Elias Sorensen was not up to the Championship, Abdoulaye Kamara has barely featured and Harvey Blair also struggled to adjust to the level. I had forgotten Sammy Silvera had even been a Pompey player.

Ibane Bowat and Jacob Farrell managed just a solitary game between them because of injury and this is a big pre-season ahead for both.

A year on though and it actually looks a fairly decent window.

Josh Murphy was a brilliant free agent signing. The £300,000 for Nicolas Schmid looks an absolute bargain, Matt Ritchie made some telling contributions and Freddie Potts was one of the best loans in recent years.

Add to that a January window where Pompey got exactly what they needed and sporting director Rich Hughes and the recruitment team can feel satisfied.

So what does this summer have in store?

The budget will be increasing however it is still likely to be one of the lowest in the Championship.

Promotion for big spending Birmingham City and Wrexham does not help. It might mean looking abroad for new arrivals, something Pompey have increasingly done in recent windows.

There are areas which are fairly settled and if Ben Killip signs a new deal the goalkeeping position is sorted.

We know the Blues would love to sign Rob Atkinson permanently. If Atkinson was to arrive the defence would be sorted. Tom McIntyre and Ryley Towler are both likely to be allowed to leave and there will be a queue of suitors for the latter.

Midfield will need some work with at least two new central midfielders required. Finding Championship quality starters is challenging and it is unlikely there will be a loan option with as much experience as Potts had in League One.

Signing under-21 players from Premier League clubs with minimal first team games is a big gamble. The free agent market is also much smaller in the Championship than League One.

Avenues that have worked for the past couple of summers might not work this time around.

Colby Bishop, Murphy and Callum Lang will all be pencilled in to start next season.

"Never in my years growing up did I think I'd see Pompey in a cup final. Never."

Portsmouth fan Jeff Harris joins Rick Edwards for the most recent episode of Remember When as they look back on Pompey's FA Cup trophy-winning run back in 2008.

The side beat Cardiff City 1-0 at Wembley thanks to Nwankwo Kanu's first-half goal to secure their second FA Cup trophy - after a 69-year wait.

Listen to the full episode and more of the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth goalkeeper Nicholas Schmid has received his first international call-up for Austria ahead of their World Cup qualifying games.

The 28-year-old has made 35 Championship appearances for Pompey since joining from Austrian side BW Linz in August 2024, keeping eight clean sheets.

The side will face Romania on 7 June before heading to San Marino the following Tuesday.

Right-back Terry Devlin has also been selected for international duty, linking up with Northern Ireland for their upcoming friendlies against Denmark and Iceland.

Image source, Rex Features

Cohen Bramall is grateful for an "amazing time" with Portsmouth - and says he expects the Blues to challenge for the Championship play-offs next season.

The 29-year-old former Rotherham, Lincoln and Colchester left-back made 12 Championship appearances, four of them starts, after arriving at Fratton Park from the Millers in January on a short-term deal.

The one-time Arsenal youngster told BBC Radio Solent that not being offered a new contract by Pompey had not come as a shock, saying: "It wasn't surprising because of the financial situation and the players already in that position.

"I kind of got told that already before I signed. The reason why I signed is that it's Portsmouth, a massive club, and a bigger platform to play on, and I back myself to perform and show the league, the team, myself and other people what I'm all about.

"I appreciate the gaffer being honest with me. He took a gamble on bringing me in. I am more than grateful to him for giving me the opportunity.

"I went from playing two years in the Championship with Rotherham to not really playing a lot in League One under Steve Evans.

"It doesn't look great, a League One player going to a team in that position in the Championship in January - I am guessing the fans would want a higher standard of player, but the fact they welcomed me and gave me the time of day was amazing and refreshing for my mental state.

"Before I came I wasn't in the greatest of headspaces. It wasn't a good time. Fratton Park brought me back to normal. It brought back so much confidence and knowing how well I can play. I got back to my old self.

"I am at peace. I did the best I could. I might have not been offered a deal but it feels good to have played a part in keeping Portsmouth up."

Bramall says he'll "wait and see" where he ends up next season, though he already has an idea where Pompey may find themselves.

"I think play-offs, and that's not stretching it," he said. "Minimum you're looking at top 10 - we finished so strong at home, if we can tidy up a few things with away performances and be more solid, they can 100% creep into the play-offs.

"It's one of the hardest leagues in the world. My first year at Rotherham we stayed up, second year, back-to-back, it's hard to stay up. You have to replicate and more. It was mentally draining, but I think they'll be sweet."

Image source, Rex Features

John Mousinho says he expects a relatively busy summer at Fratton Park, with Pompey eyeing a mix of free-agent signings, purchases and loan players.

The Blues boss told BBC Radio Solent this time of year "is probably busier than usual" but said the club are in a "really strong position" having consolidated in the Championship after promotion and are not in any rush to conduct business.

"Nothing is close at all, we've been tracking players but we're not panicking," he said. "There's definitely a couple of free agents we are interested in but it's likely to be a combination of paying fees for players and bringing loans in."

Mousinho added he felt the club's retained list this year "probably wasn't a controversial one".

Kusini Yengi scored 13 goals in all competitions in 2023-24 as Pompey won League One, but was not offered a new deal after failing to make a telling impact this term, without a goal in 14 appearances.

"He was pivotal in us winning the league last season but for a number of reasons it's not quite happened for him this year, including some injuries," Mousinho admitted.

"It felt like the best way was to not exercise his option and let him explore other options. We're happy where we are in the centre-forward department and didn't see him playing a lot next year."

Also departing is left-back Cohen Bramall, who the Blues signed in January on a deal until the end of the season, with Mousinho adding: "It was a good opportunity for him to showcase himself and I think he did well, had a very solid contribution to us managing to stay up and was a very positive influence."

The club hope keeper Ben Killip will agree a new deal while they have exercised their option to keep former Arsenal right-back Zak Swanson, with Mousinho saying: "He ended up starting 24 games this year - when he has played I think he's looked every inch a Championship right-back."

He added: "There's nothing we are absolutely desperate to do. What we don't want to do is let players go too early and then not necessarily have replacements. It's probably going to be a case of waiting to bring players in before we let players go.

"It won't be like it has been for the past two summers. It won't be 14 through the door. It won't be one or two. I suspect it'll probably land halfway between them. We're not going to force anything."

One of those who remains on the radar is Bristol City defender Rob Atkinson, who enjoyed a successful loan at Pompey to finish the season.

"Everyone knows we're there and perfectly willing to do a deal for Rob but he's Bristol City's player and we'll see what they do with him first," Mousinho said.

"If they had gone up it probably would have made things slightly more straightforward but it depends on them."

'Have the club made the right calls, plus what does the summer recruitment look like?'

In the final Who Needs Mourinho? of the season, Chris Wise, Andy Moon and Guy Whittingham look at Pompey's retained list.

Were the club right to release Kusini Yengi and keep Zak Swanson?

There's also your questions answered in Moon's Musings.

Click here to listen to BBC Radio Solent's Who Needs Mourinho podcast via BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth are keen to bring defender Rob Atkinson back next season, but are in no rush to push a deal through.

Sporting director Richard Hughes told BBC Radio Solent that Pompey plan a conversation about the 26-year-old's future, but only after parent club Bristol City's Championship play-off campaign is over.

The defender made 14 league appearances, 13 of them starts, after arriving at Fratton Park on loan in January, and scored two precious goals against Derby last month to help keep the Blues away from trouble.

"We've loved having Rob, he's been brilliant and made a big impact," Hughes said. "He's Bristol City's player and we'll always be respectful of that.

"We'll probably have to let their season come to a natural conclusion and then there's a conversation to be had as to whether something works for everyone."

Hughes said "it's probably unlikely any other loanees return", adding: "They have all served purposes. I know Freddie Potts will want to test himself at the highest level. I spoke to Graham Potter… West Ham have been really pleased with his development.

"Adil Aouchiche and Isaac Hayden both came in in January and affected games in different ways and helped in that upturn in results post-January.

"We'll never say no but we're looking in a lot of different directions."

There are likely to be departures too, with Hughes admitting: "Some of them will have had a big impact on the team in the past two years but there are some players who need to go and play football, that's really important, for their development and to do the right thing.

"It's a natural evolution from going from a League One team to finishing in a relatively good position in the Championship. We want to keep getting better."

Hughes said he did not expect much movement on the transfer front until June and said Pompey would "take learnings" from signings which have not worked out, adding: "Players have to have an athletic profile, have to be able to handle the ball and have to be able to cope with the demands that John Mousinho's going to place on them.

"I think there'll be fewer players than we have seen in the last couple of summers. The board have always been open and respectful when we've put the right propositions in front of them. Invariably they have always backed us.

"We'll be looking to bring in some players who can affect the starting XI and better the club for the here and now but also the future."

Click here to listen to BBC Radio Solent's full interview with Richard Hughes.

Portsmouth expect interest from other clubs in boss John Mousinho this summer, sporting director Richard Hughes has admitted.

Mousinho, 39, was appointed to his first managerial role at Fratton Park in January 2023 and has already etched his name into club folklore.

He guided Pompey from 15th in League One to finish eighth in his first campaign before winning the title last term and then guiding the Blues to a 16th-placed finish in their first season back in the Championship.

Mousinho has been linked with the vacant coaching roles at West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City but Hughes told BBC Radio Solent he hopes his head coach will stick with the "exciting project" he is building.

"This club is incredibly special and has got a real unique character around it," Hughes said.

"It's exciting for me and John. There's scope to progress and build the club and I know that's something that really appeals to John.

"I'm sure there absolutely will be interest in John, and rightly so because he's done a terrific job in the time he's been with us.

"There's likely to be people that want to have those conversations but I know John is happy, he loves the area, he loves the team and the project.

"It's natural in football if people do well there's likely to be interest but our expectation is to keep moving forward and keep progressing, that way we can keep the group and the staff together, add to the squad and keep making everything stronger, better and keep delivering on the pitch."

"From Colby Bishop's introduction onwards, Pompey's season changed.

"Suddenly, it wasn't Sorensen up front struggling, it was Colby Bishop and what he brought on and off the pitch was phenomenal."

Neil Allen joins Chris Wise and Andy Moon to look back at Pompey's season.

They look back at how the season unfolded and go through the candidates for player of the season.

There's also your questions answered in Moon's Musings.

Listen to the full episode and more on the Who Needs Mousinho? podcast.

Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth striker Colby Bishop is already looking forward to another year in the Championship and says they will be a "very strong team" next season.

After winning just one of their opening 14 games and sitting five points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table, Pompey picked up 45 points in the next 32 matches to finish 16th.

John Mousinho's side were on a 64-point pace from 9 November onwards, which would have seen them finish in the top 10 if they had carried that form through the whole season.

It was a run that coincided with Bishop's return to the side following heart surgery.

"Obviously, I missed quite a big chunk of it and didn't come back in the greatest place, so if you'd told me then that we'd finish 16th, then I'd have snapped your hand off," Bishop told BBC Radio Solent.

"It's down to the lads and the staff who worked really hard and reaped the rewards."

Bishop ended the season as Portsmouth's league top goalscorer for a third consecutive campaign with 11 goals in 32 appearances.

"After missing a big chunk, I didn't know what was going to happen or how many you're going to get," he said.

"But I'm happy to get top goalscorer - three seasons as top goalscorer."

The 28-year-old, who extended his contract at Fratton Park in February until June 2028, believes Pompey can improve on their league position next season.

"Last year was a rocky start, so I'm looking forward to having a fresh start, coming back fit and seeing where this team can take it," Bishop added.

"If we have a fully fit team next year with some of the lads we've got and a couple more signings, I think we'll be a very strong team.

"I think the club has moved forward so much since I first came here, and behind the scenes, they're still trying to make it so much better, so I think it's only going to go in one direction."

Listen to Colby Bishop's full interview on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has said that everyone at the club "can be proud" after a successful season in the Championship.

A draw against Hull City on Saturday marked the end of their first season back in the second tier since 2012.

In his first full season in management, Mousinho won the league One title, and in the second, his side secured a 16th placed finish in the Championship.

They were confirmed as safe with two games to spare, and ended the season with some strong results.

"It was important to stay unbeaten towards the back end of the season and five unbeaten is a good return." Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.

"The performance today was awful for 20 minutes but I guess some of it can be expected.

"The progress this season is a really good sign of where we are as a club and a fantastic achievement - everyone can be very proud of what we have done.

"But football doesn't wait for anyone, we have to go again, but for now we can take a break from the relentlessness."

Hull City look to avoid relegation as they visit Portsmouth for their final match of the season on Saturday (12:30 BST).

The Tigers are currently residing in the last relegation spot but will find themselves making a last gasp grasp to safety if they take all three points at Fratton Park.

However, beating Portsmouth at home is no easy task.

Pompey have averaged 1.77 points per game at home this season, compared to 0.61 on the road, and will want to give their home fans a thank you performance for helping them secure a second season in the Championship.

• Portsmouth have lost two of their last three home league games against Hull City (W1), one more defeat than across their 14 meetings at Fratton Park (W5 D8).

• Hull City have won two of their last six league games against Portsmouth (D1 L3), with the pair drawing the reverse fixture 1-1 back in November last year.

• This will be the first time that Portsmouth have finished a league campaign in the second tier at home since a 3-0 victory over Barnsley at Fratton Park in May 2001.

• Since 2005, Hull have won just one of their 20 final games of a league campaign (D8 L11), a 5-1 home victory over Rotherham United in May 2016.

• Portsmouth have won just one of their seven league games against sides from Yorkshire this season (D4 L2); they last faced sides from the county as many times with as few wins during the 1960-61 season (one win in eight).

Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth defender Conor Shaughnessy has said that injuries this season have "frustrated" him and medical staff.

The 28-year-old has suffered two calf injuries and most recently a hamstring setback that have restricted him to just eight appearances this campaign.

Last season he was a regular name in the starting line-up, featuring 49 times in Pompey's League One title-winning campaign.

"It's been a difficult season and an injury that has frustrated me and all the staff," Shaughnessy told BBC Radio Solent.

"There's lots of factors that come into it with these injuries happening. It's been a tough season personally because of it, but it's been a great feeling to be back and be a part of the team staying up.

"We knew how difficult it was going to be coming into the Championship and it took a while to adjust. As a whole I think we have come on a lot since the start of the season."

The Blues achieved Championship survival with two games remaining when they beat Watford at Fratton Park.

Shaughnessy was on the bench for that game but a player who started in defence and has impressed since his loan signing is Rob Atkinson.

The 26-year-old joined from Bristol City until the end of the season and Shaughnessy has enjoyed the few times he has played with the loanee.

"He's been fantastic," he said. "I played a few of my games alongside him and I really enjoyed that. He's a very solid and experienced Championship defender.

"You can see that in every game that he plays - he raises the standard of our performance and I think the loan has worked well for both parties. He's been excellent for himself and the club.

"I think it would be great if we got him back next year. Everyone feels the same way about him but it will come down to him and Bristol City. I've definitely encouraged him to stay here though - we love him."

Portsmouth end their season on Saturday with a home fixture against Hull City (12:30 BST) - who are under threat of relegation on the final day.

"It is going to be interesting - it's nice to observe the relegation battle that way.

"I think Pompey are going to be at full strength and I think it's going to be really tough for Hull."

Chris Wise and Andy Moon take a look at Portsmouth's final game of the Championship season at Fratton Park against relegation-threatened Hull City on Saturday (12:30 BST), what to expect on the day and what the future might hold.

Will we see goalkeeper Ben Killip, who made his debut against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday?

After some interesting words from boss John Mousinho, is there room for goalscorer Harvey Blair to get the chance to make it two in two?

Listen to the full episode and more on the Who Needs Mousinho? podcast

Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth are planning talks with out-of-contract players next week.

Boss John Mousinho says he will not tell players of any decisions about their futures until after Saturday's final Championship game of the season at home to Hull City (12:30 BST).

"We've had a couple of meetings this week with players who are in contract but we didn't want to distract any of the out-of-contract players because it's unfair before the weekend," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.

"Any conversations we've had this week have been very straightforward and any of the ones which take more care and diligence we'll do on Monday."

Defenders Zak Swanson and Cohen Bramall are two of the first-team players whose deals are due to expire at the end of the season, although Pompey do retain an option to extend Swanson's contract.

Mousinho admits they have not made final decisions on everyone's future.

"We're still mulling over a few things and we have a couple of meetings on Friday with the board where we want to check things first before we make any decisions," he added.

"The conversations where you're letting players go aren't great but there's a lot of reward when you give a new contract but ultimately they're not nice conversations a lot of the time because you're talking about people's livelihoods so you have to tread carefully."

Image source, Rex Features

Harvey Blair's first season with Portsmouth has been like "a rollercoaster" according to the former Liverpool winger.

The 21-year-old made the switch from Merseyside to the South Coast last summer but has found first-team appearances hard to come by before scoring his first Pompey goal in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday.

"I just wanted to go out and have fun really and the goal came with it," Blair told BBC Radio Solent.

"Josh Murphy said to me before the game 'every time I get the ball just get in the box' so I knew that and luckily it was a nice little tap-in."

Blair had to wait until October's trip to Stoke for his first start in a Portsmouth shirt and that ended in a 6-1 hammering.

Since then he has only featured a further five times with the draw at Hillsborough his second appearance in the starting line-up.

"It's been a rollercoaster season for me but I just need to keep my head down, keep working hard and make sure next season I'm firing on all cylinders," he added

"All the lads have been unbelievable since the day I came in, welcomed me with open arms and I couldn't ask for any more."

Portsmouth safeguarded their Championship status with a win over Watford on Easter Monday and finish their campaign at home to relegation-threatened Hull City on Saturday (12:30 BST)

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent Portsmouth commentator

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

There was very much an end-of-term feel at a muted Hillsborough. I suspect both sides will be happy enough with a 1-1 draw.

It was a big day for Harvey Blair, his first start since the 6-1 humiliation at Stoke earlier in the season. He underlined his potential with his first senior goal but remains a work in progress.

Goalkeeper Ben Killip hasn't even been on the bench since arriving in January and was a surprise starter. He had no chance with Wednesday's goal and put in a very tidy performance.

All in all, a decent point on the road. Next week's finale is highly unlikely to feel flat.

Pompey face relegation-threatened Hull, who are managed by former Southampton boss Ruben Selles. Ex-Pompey loanee Abu Kamara is also likely to feature.