Portsmouth

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Just over a month ago Portsmouth hosted struggling Sheffield Wednesday knowing a win would take them into the Championship play-offs.

Instead Pompey put in a really poor showing and have now won only once in eight matches, taking just six points from that run. So what has gone wrong?

It is worth noting a bit of perspective.

A year ago Pompey were rooted to the bottom of the Championship table having struggled to make the jump up to the second tier.

They went on to stay up easily, their current predicament is nowhere near as serious.

Staying up remains the key objective, a comfortable mid-table existence would be a very good season, anything beyond that is exceptional.

It feels like there are questions over a number of areas of the team at the moment, perhaps most notably up front.

Colby Bishop is currently on his longest goal drought at the club and has not even had an opportunity in the past few games.

Who should play behind Bishop? Clearly that is Conor Chaplin's preferred position, he has been used on the right in recent weeks but has not found his top form even when playing centrally.

Right-wing is a problem position, Adrian Segecic had some bright moments there but no one has stepped up to will the void left by Matt Ritchie's departure, there is not an obvious solution.

Defensively, Conor Shaughnessy's absence is a blow and Josh Knight deputised well for a few games before being left out for Hayden Matthews at the weekend.

Unfortunately for Matthews he scored the games only goal in the wrong net.

It's not all been bad though, Regan Poole and Connor Ogilvie continue to be solid in defence and there are three decent options at right-back.

Marlon Pack and Andre Dozzell are performing well in midfield, Joe Bursik has done an excellent job filling in for Nico Schmid in goal and it is no certainty that the Austrian regains his place when he's fit again.

It certainly hasn't helped missing Josh Murphy for a month with an ankle injury. He is Pompey's best player, one of the Championship's standout wingers and his return will make a difference.

John Mousinho is approaching three years in charge at Portsmouth and he has overcome much bigger challenges than this one.

You would be surprised if he does not find a way around his current conundrum.

"It is getting a little concerning. I think the first half against Stoke was as bad as Pompey have played all season. It was a game of quite a few negatives and not many positives.

"Conor Chaplin is suddenly being asked to play on the right, John Mousinho said he wants him to be a right-sided No10... it's not working.

"I'm always interested when stories emerge of potential interest very close to a new contract being signed. The fog of war has not lifted on the non-transfer saga of Josh Murphy."

The Portsmouth News' Neil Allen joins Chris Wise and Andrew Moon mull over Pompey's defeat to Stoke, among other topics.

The trio try and work out how to get the best out of Conor Chaplin and Colby Bishop and discuss just how close Josh Murphy really was to leaving Pompey in the summer transfer window.

Of course, there's also your questions answered in Moon's Musings.

Tom Chappell
Fan Writer from Fournilwrittenalloverit

Image source, Getty Images

Everything felt a little bit undercooked at Fratton Park on Saturday. Pre-game build-up, a crowd largely unmoved throughout, performance on the pitch, and the ultimate result.

The majority of the afternoon was pretty bereft of action and rather dull. There were signs of energy from the beginning of the second half, during which we were the better side for the only period of the game following a very forgettable first 45.

We had a real lack of control, particularly in central areas. Defensively, we did not look assured at all, even putting the rather unfortunate own goal aside.

It was also one of those days where Pompey could have been playing until Christmas and still not have scored.

Perhaps a dreary 0-0 would've been a more befitting scoreline, but Pompey's at times apathetic showing certainly didn't look worthy of any more than a point at a push.

Josh Murphy's return is unbelievably welcome, he makes the team so much more offensively threatening and will in turn hopefully help put Colby Bishop's barren run in front of goal to an end.

Pompey need to properly turn up in Birmingham this weekend. Our start to the campaign at home is now worryingly poor, particularly given that Fratton Park provided a cornerstone to our survival last season.

There's also a bit of a restlessness within the fanbase that John Mousinho's side have seemingly abandoned the style in which we so brilliantly mastered our home form last year - where very few sides would come away with anything from PO4.

It is bizarre to say but right now it's probably a positive that we only have three home games between now and the start of December. It wasn't too long ago that you'd fancy us against anyone on home soil.

John Swift's late leveller at Leicester feels like quite some time ago.

The likes of Callum Lang, Nico Schmid, Conor Shaughnessy and now Adrian Segecic will all return in time, and there's no doubt in my mind regarding our divisional status for another season at the moment.

But, with an out-of-position Conor Chaplin, and an out-of-form Bishop, Pompey are slowly sleepwalking into a bit of trouble.

Find more from Tom at the Fournilwrittenalloverit, external, external YouTube channel

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent commentator

Image source, PA Media

This was a frustrating defeat for Portsmouth. The first half was as poor as they've been all season.

Having got to half-time at 0-0 though they should not have gone on to lose the game.

Makenzie Kirk showed some bright moments on his full debut but crucially couldn't convert Josh Murphy's brilliant left-wing cross. Minutes later Stoke scored and that brief period ultimately settled the match.

There are now a number of question marks over the team - who should play, and where.

Hayden Matthews came in for Josh Knight but looked rusty and struggled. Conor Chaplin hasn't made an impact on the right which clearly isn't his best position. However he wasn't able to affect the game as he'd have liked when playing centrally. Colby Bishop is battling hard but not providing a goal threat at present. He needs better service.

Ten goals scored in 12 matches isn't enough. Only Sheffield United have score fewer.

Josh Murphy was only fit enough to play the final quarter of the match but he is at least back. He is Pompey's best player and is return now is extremely welcome.

Portsmouth winger Josh Murphy is glad to see the back of a "frustrating" and "stressful" time after returning from injury.

Murphy, who could have left the club in the summer, came off the bench in the 1-0 defeat against Stoke City, having not played mid-September.

He told BBC Radio Solent it was "great" to get on the pitch again.

"It's always frustrating to be on the sidelines," the 30-year-old explained

"I'm happy I'm back. I want to build some momentum and hopefully get some goals and assists for the team."

Murphy had not played since re-injuring his left ankle in the 0-0 derby draw against Southampton on 14 September

He sprained his left ankle in the build-up to the game and then felt it flare up again after just three minutes. Fluid around the tendons has since affected his ability to turn.

"The Southampton game was painful to play in", he added. "I tried to fight through the pain and probably made it worse.

"It's been a long rehab to try to get it better but I'm ready to crack on.

"I don't think any player is ever 100%, but I feel lot better than I did six weeks ago and feel my body is ready - so I just need to get my match sharpness."

And Murphy is thrilled his career is back on track with Pompey, having been heavily linked with a move away this summer - a period he described as "stressful".

"I didn't know whether I was coming or going," he added. "But it's done now. I still have big aspirations in my career and the club do as well, so I feel like everything is aligned.

"There is always speculation. That happens with every transfer window with every team, but I'm a Portsmouth player."

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho felt his team did enough to win the game in the second half as they lost at home to Stoke City.

Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent: "The first half was poor. We took 45 minutes to get going, but it was a much-improved performance in the second half, when we were by far the better side but didn't put the ball in the back of the net.

"It was a poor piece of defending to concede the goal and after that we didn't make good enough decisions and stopped doing the things that had made us a good side in the second half.

"With the level of performance and the amount of chances we created, we definitely should have won the game."

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho says his side are not where they envisaged they would be at the start of the campaign.

Pompey sit 17th in the Championship and have only managed three wins so far, suffering a 2-1 defeat by table-toppers Coventry City on Tuesday.

Mousinho hopes to welcome back Callum Lang and Josh Murphy for the visit of Stoke City on Saturday (12:30 BST), but Adrian Segecic will not make it.

"Callum is progressing nicely, he's still on time," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"Adrian Segecic would have undoubtably been in for selection on Saturday, it would have been a good time for him to come back, we've sent him for an MRI.

"Josh Murphy will be in contention for the bench but not to start the game."

Mousinho is expecting a tough encounter against Stoke, who lie sixth, seven points off the top.

"They have had a very good start to the season, they're extremely solid defensively," he added.

"They've added a couple of players, particularly Sorba Thomas and Divin Mubama.

"It gives them real physicality and strength, they've added to a squad that was already pretty strong in my opinion."

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

"Portsmouth were not able to stop Coventry from playing the game they wanted to play."

Former Portsmouth striker and manager Guy Whittingham joined BBC Radio Solent's Chris Wise and Andy Moon to reflect on their 2-1 loss against Coventry City, as well as pay tribute to former midfielder Joe Morrell, who has been forced to retire at the age of 28.

Portsmouth striker Makenzie Kirk says the club have shown they "can compete" with the top sides in the division, despite suffering a 2-1 defeat against Coventry City.

Kirk opened his Portsmouth account with a stoppage time goal, but could not stop his side falling to a first home defeat since the 2-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday back in September.

"I was happy enough to score my goal. It wasn't the result we wanted tonight, but the boys put in everything they could.

"I think over the last few weeks the lads have shown that we can compete against these big sides in the league and take points away from them.

The Northern Ireland Under-21 international joined the club from Scottish side St Johnstone in the summer, on a three-year deal.

"I have really enjoyed my time so far. I am really enjoying the training, the games are brilliant, the atmosphere is fantastic and the fans are second to none, I have never experienced anything like it.

"For me there is no pressure as a young player at the moment, as the boss has touched on, it is just about if an opportunity does come, I am ready for it."

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho says his side were "not good enough defensively" in their 2-1 defeat to Coventry at Fratton Park.

A Brandon Thomas-Asante brace either side of half-time subjected Pompey to their first league defeat in three games.

"It is obviously a disappointing result for us. I think it is a fair result overall as we didn't quite get going in the early parts of the first-half, however we settled into the game okay after that.

"The most frustrating thing is the manner of the goals. If Coventry tear you apart with good, attacking and fast play then that's one thing and I am not saying they didn't, however one of the goals came from a long throw that went out from a corner and we concede from that, which is a poor way to concede.

"The second goal is also just not good enough from us defensively, but we huffed and puffed, and we got ourselves back into the game, it was just too little to late.

"We need to take care of ourselves and the the ball a little more in the final third, because we did have chances to test the goalkeeper and we didn't do it.

"There was probably a few too many routine saves from really good opportunities.

"Ultimately we had 90 seconds in the back end to try and score and we should have maybe had 15 or 20 minutes."

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent commentator

Image source, Rex Features

There's no shame in losing to Coventry who were by far and away the best side Portsmouth have faced this season, however Pompey weren't forced to be at their best in this one.

Yes Portsmouth should have had an early penalty. Strange to hear referee Gavin Ward pull the old Arsene Wenger line "I didn't see it" when quizzed about it by John Mousinho.

That would have changed the match but Coventry would still have fancied their chances. They simply had so much quality and significant pace and power all over the pitch.

So far, this week has showed that when expensively-assembled sides aren't quite at it (like Leicester) then Pompey can cause them plenty of problems, but they have to be near their best to do so. They weren't against Coventry.

Adrian Segecic was devastated when he came off with a potentially serious ankle injury and left the ground on crutches. He's been one of the brightest sparks so far this season and losing him for a long period would be a huge blow.

Yang Min-hyeok was quiet against Coventry after an impressive run of performances.

There would never be a bad time for Josh Murphy to return. Even if he can play some part against Stoke, it could make a difference.

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent commentator

Image source, Getty Images

This news that Joe Morrell has retired at the age of 28 comes as a big surprise.

Earlier this summer there had been initial interest from both Reading and Plymouth in signing him and Morrell had said himself he was ready to return.

But ultimately his troublesome knee that has prevented him playing since Portsmouth's 2-2 draw at Oxford United in January 2024 has ended his career.

It's been quite a journey, going from not being able to get a game with Margate to impressing at the European Championship and playing in a World Cup.

Always interesting to listen to, he was popular in both the dressing room and amongst supporters for his whole hearted committed performances.

No club has taken more points on the road than the 11 managed by Championship leaders Coventry City this season.

The Sky Blues are also one of only three teams unbeaten on their travels in the division.

Home side Portsmouth are struggling for goals with only Sheffield United (4) and Blackburn Rovers (7) having scored fewer than their seven.

• Portsmouth have won four of their past five home league games against Coventry City (D1) since a 3-0 reverse in April 2011.

• Coventry have won two of their past three league matches against Portsmouth (L1), this after only winning one of their previous seven prior (D2 L4).

• After their 1-0 win over Middlesbrough, Portsmouth could win back-to-back home league games without conceding for the first time since October 2023.

• Coventry have won both of their past two away league games by an aggregate score of 9-0. They could become the first side in English league history to win three successive away games in the second tier by 4+ goals.

• Coventry have won both of their past two midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games, including one against Portsmouth in April (1-0). The Sky Blues last won three in a row in December 2022.

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Another game of two halves, another performance where Portsmouth showed they can compete with anyone in this division.

Pompey were very much second best in the first half but dug in and stayed in the game. Then after the break they got their counter-attacks going and could have had all three points.

When they got going they looked an incredibly well-drilled and well-organised side. That was significant against a team which man-for-man is more talented.

Keep playing like this and Portsmouth are going to pick up a significant haul of points on the road.

All this is taking place without three of Pompey's best performers last season in Josh Murphy, Callum Lang and Nico Schmidt because of injury. Yang Min-hyeok, John Swift and Joe Bursik did a fine job deputising against Leicester.

Image source, Getty Images

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho is demanding a more ruthless streak from his side despite gaining a valuable point at Leicester City.

John Swift's first goal for Pompey cancelled out Aaron Ramsey's first half effort as the visitors came back to make it five points from their last three games.

But Mousinho was slightly disappointed not to take more, having taken the initiative for large parts of the second half.

"It feels like we could have had all three points, I thought we had the better chances to win it," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"You come to the King Power and take the point. I'm really happy with the performance, but I think we need to be more ruthless going forward.

"We could have had more confidence and belief in ourselves."

Leicester City will look to edge closer to pace makers Coventry City on Saturday evening (19:45 BST) when they welcome Portsmouth.

The Foxes could go into second spot with a win should Middlesbrough fail to take all three points in their game against Ipswich on Friday.

Pompey do seem to have resolved their away day misery from last season though and will be looking for second win on the road.

However, with Leicester only seeing one loss so far this season, it'll be quite the task for the side to claim victory at the King Power.

• This will be the first league meeting between Leicester City and Portsmouth since 2011-12, with both games that season in the Championship ending 1-1.

• Portsmouth are unbeaten in their last two league visits to Leicester City (W1 D1), while they've scored on each of their last six trips (9 in total).

• Leicester City are unbeaten in their last six home league games (W4 D2), having lost nine in a row at the King Power Stadium beforehand. The Foxes last had a longer unbeaten home run between November 2023 and February 2024 (8 games).

• Since the start of last season, no Championship team has lost more away games than Portsmouth (16), while Pompey have the worst defensive record in that timeframe (53 goals conceded).

• Leicester's Abdul Fatawu has had 88 take-ons in the Championship so far this season – 51 more than any other player. He also leads the way for opposition half take-ons (74), fouls won after a take-on (8) and shots following a take-on (6).

Andre Dozzell says a mentality shift on the road could be the key to Portsmouth reaching the "next level" in the Championship.

The midfielder has started every league game this season, playing all but 15 minutes, as Pompey have picked up a dozen points from their opening nine games.

John Mousinho's visit Leicester on Saturday (19:45 BST) knowing victory would make it eight points on the road so far this season, more than half the number they earned in the whole of last season.

"It's a big week," Dozzell told BBC Radio Solent. "We know that if we're on it we can beat anyone, we just have to find that confidence, even when we go away we have to believe we can win.

"We have to go and turn the draws into wins when we go away and hopefully we can improve on last season.

"I do feel like the performances away this season have been much better. We have spoken about it, maybe it's a mentality thing, we have been working on it, but if we can turn the draws into wins that's how you get to the next level."

Dozzell joined Pompey last summer from QPR and while he was heavily involved last season, making 32 league starts, he believes he is having more of impact this term, albeit with the constant need for improvement.

"I'm happy to have played all the games so far," Dozzell added. "I've just got to keep it going. That's my aim, to play every game.

"I'm in a good patch right now but we are only nine games in, the key for me now is consistency and staying on top of my game.

"I can get a lot better. Goals and assists are a big thing in football now, I want to improve my numbers, but even if I don't get them I feel I can still help the team in other ways.

"I have to keep working hard, listening to the staff and take it one game at a time."

Listen to the full interview with Dozzell and more Portsmouth content on BBC Sounds.