Portsmouth

Tom Chappell
Fan writer from Fournilwrittenalloverit

Image source, Getty Images

Usually I have little trouble moving on from a defeat the morning after the night before - but, for one reason or another, I woke up after the Blackburn game as infuriated as I was at times during the match.

Perhaps it's the minimal sleep and long journey to Lancashire and back playing a part, but reading the referee's explanation of his decision making means I remain seething as I write.

We were perfectly placed to witness the blatant push on Bishop, as described by BBC commentator Andy Moon, and, equally, in full view of the clattering of Callum Lang from goalkeeper Aynsley Pears - which Farai Hallam recounted as a 'coming together' despite his own assistant formulating the opinion shared by all of us, that it was indeed a penalty.

I counter all of that by saying that we must first look at ourselves.

Away from home, we don't create enough, we don't defend well enough - and Pompey actually consistently end up writing their own script.

Decisions going against us are neither where Pompey's problems start or end but for a team battling at the bottom end, it certainly compounds the struggle.

To finish - a word on the window.

There's plenty of discourse regarding the strengthening of teams around us but, while the concern is palpable that Pompey will be left behind, not every deal works out exactly as planned.

We have lived and breathed that this season and last.

What is for sure - perhaps exasperatingly so - is I don't think it will take a lot for Pompey to steer clear of relegation worries in terms of incomings in these next two weeks.

No-one is asking for irrational spending, all that is expected is that the squad is bolstered to tackle 21 games head on - otherwise a euphoric second tier return after a 12-year absence could be over.

I think we'll probably know by the Burnley game - four of the next five games at Fratton Park now simply define Pompey's season.

Find out more from Tom and Fournilwrittenalloverit by clicking here, external

Portsmouth host sixth placed Middlesbrough on Saturday as the look to escape the relegation zone (15:00 GMT).

Pompey have lost their past two league games to put themselves just two points above basement dwellers Plymouth Argyle, however could lift themselves out of the bottom three with a home win.

On the other hand, Boro are on a six-match unbeaten streak in the league but did suffer an FA Cup third round loss to Blackburn Rovers last weekend.

• Portsmouth have won just one of their last ten league games against Middlesbrough (D6 L3), a 2-1 victory at Fratton Park in September 2008 in the Premier League.

• Five of the last six league games between Middlesbrough and Portsmouth have finished in draws, with Boro winning the other 3-1 in March 2012 courtesy of goals from Barry Robson, Matthew Bates and Marvin Emnes.

• Pompey are unbeaten in their last five home league games (W4 D1), scoring three or more goals in their four wins during that spell; they could score 4+ goals in three straight matches at Fratton Park for the first time since October 1979.

• Middlesbrough have drawn four of their last five league games (W1), as many stalemates as across their previous 24 Championship matches (W12 L8).

• No teenager has been directly involved in more Championship goals so far this season than Middlesbrough's Ben Doak (2 goals, 6 assists); in fact, the Liverpool loanee also has the most assists across that same cohort in England's top four tiers in 2024-25 (6).

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent Portsmouth commentator

Image source, Rex Features

We have seen some desperate Pompey performances on the road this season but Wednesday night was not one of them.

Head coach John Mousinho felt his side had two blatant penalties turned down in the second half and even those of a Blackburn persuasion probably would not have argued had they been awarded.

Unfortunately, on the road, Pompey aren't good enough to overcome significant moments of officiating going against them.

Also, again, we saw a side with greater depth able to make changes that influenced the game. John Mousinho is short of Championship quality on the bench.

Four of the next five matches are at home which is a relief after six consecutive away defeats in all competitions.

Dan George & Andrew Moon
BBC Sport, South

Image source, Getty Images

Portsmouth have agreed a deal to sign Australia Under-23 striker Thomas Waddingham, BBC Radio Solent reports.

The 19-year-old has four goals in 11 appearances this season for the Brisbane Roar in the Australian A League.

As an under-21 player Waddingham will not count towards Portsmouth's 25 man squad limit.

The Blues have already signed defender Rob Atkinson and Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden on loan so far in the January transfer window.

Waddingham has been at the Roar through their academy sides and has made 34 appearances for them in the A League, scoring 11 goals.

He has also been capped and scored twice for Australia's U20's side.

'Waddingham a long-term prospect'

BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator Andrew Moon:

While most of Portsmouth's January business is focused on the short-term and staying in the Championship, Waddingham is a long-term prospect.

The club won't be loaning him out and he'll have the chance to impress in training and force his way into the side, although dislodging Colby Bishop given how he's playing is a huge challenge.

Pompey have landed a much coveted young player and even with Championship survival on the line aren't abandoning their strategy of trying to sign young players who they can develop and improve.

Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth will recall the players they rested for their FA Cup defeat by Wycombe when they face Blackburn in the Championship, says boss John Mousinho.

Pompey made nine changes for the loss at Adams Park on Friday but one of them, goalkeeper Jordan Archer, won't be available because of a quad muscle injury.

The match at Blackburn on Wednesday is a rearranged meeting after the original game at Ewood Park in November was postponed because of Storm Bert.

"Thankfully we managed to rest some players on Friday who should be available to come back in on Wednesday and then it's a quick turn around for Saturday (against Middlesbrough)," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.

"We'd rather have not had a game this midweek - it's not ideal but we have to deal with it and get on with it."

Portsmouth have lost three of their past four games in the Championship and they visit a Blackburn side who are just one point outside the play-off places and won at Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on Saturday.

"They've had a fantastic first half to the season. Of late their form hasn't been as good as it had been but they pose a real threat.

"I think John (Eustace) is a really good coach and they've got some excellent players there and a side with a bit of confidence after the weekend."

Image source, Rex Features

Anthony Scully has returned to Portsmouth after Colchester opted to end his loan spell.

The forward moved to the League Two side on deadline day in August to play under former Blues boss Danny Cowley.

He struck once in nine appearances before struggling with injury, returning to Portsmouth to have a plate removed from his ankle injury in November.

Scully is currently facing more time on the sidelines with a March return date circled for a possible return to full fitness.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley said, external that Scully could return for another spell at the Essex club before the end of the season.

Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has been speaking to the press ahead of the trip to Blackburn on Wednesday night. Here's what he told BBC Radio Solent:

• Midfielder Isaac Hayden could make his debut after signing on loan from Newcastle. "It's really good to have him with us," said Mousinho. "We wanted to bring in somebody who could impact the starting XI and we think Isaac could do that."

• On signing more players in the January transfer window, Mousinho said: "Nothing this week, nothing is imminent before the game tomorrow. Plenty of irons in the fire but nothing that's ready to go."

• When asked if there could be any more incomings before the weekend, Mousinho said: "Perhaps."

• Mousinho said Blackburn have had a "fantastic" first half of the season. "I think they pose a real threat, they've got a really good system," he said. "I think John [Eustace] is a really good coach and it's going to be a really tough game."

• On the latest team news, Mousinho confirmed goalkeeper Jordan Archer is having a scan on a quad injury he picked up in the 2-0 defeat at Wycombe in the FA Cup on Friday night and his availability will depend on the outcome of those checks.

• Defender Conor Shaughnessy returned to training today for the first time since tearing his calf in November, but is still two to three weeks away from being available for selection.

• Centre-back Regan Poole is expected back in training next week following a hamstring issue which has kept him out since going off at half-time in the 0-0 draw with Norwich on 10 December.

• Meanwhile, left-back Jacob Farrell, who has only made one appearance since joining from Australian champions Central Coast Mariners in July, is set for knee surgery on Tuesday and will miss the rest of the season.

Blackburn Rovers seek a return to the play-off spots as they host relegation-threatened Portsmouth on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

Rovers have not won any of their past five league games to see themselves drop out of the top six, just one point shy of West Bromwich Albion and two away from Middlesbrough in sixth and fifth respectively.

However, they did beat Boro on Saturday to advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup and will be hoping the victory reignites winning ways.

Meanwhile, Pompey lost out to League One's Wycombe Wanderers in their cup tie on Friday and will drop into the bottom three if Cardiff City avoid defeat against Watford on Tuesday.

• Blackburn Rovers are unbeaten across their past five league games against Portsmouth (W4 D1) and will be looking to win three matches in succession against Pompey for the first time since January 2006.

• Since 1985, Portsmouth have won just two of their 16 away league games against Blackburn Rovers (D3 L11), with both of those victories coming in the Premier League (2-1 in March 2004 & 1-0 in September 2007). During that run, Pompey have netted just 10 goals in total and more than one in a match just once.

• After a six-game winning streak in the league between November and December, Blackburn are without a win in their last five such games (D2 L3), losing each of their last two at Ewood Park.

• Portsmouth have lost each of their past four away league games, failing to score in three of those games and conceding 10.

• Portsmouth's Josh Murphy is one of only four players in the Championship this season with at least five goals and five assists, scoring and assisting in a game already in 2025 against Swansea City.

Brisbane Roar's teenage striker Thomas Waddingham was left out of the A-League side's squad this weekend amid speculation over a bid from Sheffield Wednesday, with QPR and Portsmouth also interested. (Sheffield Star, external)

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho won't being in any more midfielders after the loan of Isaac Hayden and is looking to strengthen at the other ends of the pitch. (The News, external)

Want more EFL transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column.

Portsmouth visit League One high-fliers Wycombe in the FA Cup third round on Friday (19:45 GMT).

• Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth have met once before in the FA Cup, during a first round match in November 2016 with the Chairboys winning 2-1.

• Portsmouth have alternated between defeat (3) and victory (3) in their last six away games against Wycombe in all competitions, winning 3-1 in League One last season.

• Wycombe have progressed from just three of their 12 FA Cup third round ties in club history. However, one of these was in their last appearance at this stage, beating Championship side Preston 4-1 in 2020-21.

• Portsmouth haven't reached the FA Cup fourth round since 2019-20 when they beat Fleetwood Town 2-1 at this stage of the competition.

• Portsmouth have progressed from six of their past seven FA Cup third round ties against sides from a lower division, though that sole defeat came during their last such match in a 3-1 defeat to Brighton in 2011.