Portsmouth

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator

After last season's tough opening in the Championship, Portsmouth head into their second season in the division knowing the size of the challenge ahead and a much kinder set of early fixtures.

Colby Bishop and Josh Murphy were outstanding in attack last term, and Pompey will be hoping for more of the same from the pair. Keeping them fit and firing will be key.

John Swift's move to his local club has a romantic element, but he also brings some vital Championship experience. Their other new recruits are unproven at this level. A fit Callum Lang will feel a little bit like a new player.

There are more additions to come, with head coach John Mousinho suggesting there could be as many as five more new faces. There were no key permanent departures, but how Pompey would love to have found a way to re-sign loan pair Freddie Potts and Rob Atkinson.

Mousinho pointed out numerous times last season that Pompey were not quite a mid-table side yet. They would love to become one this year.

Avoiding relegation is the objective, and steering clear of the battle to avoid the drop would be an excellent season. Anything beyond that is probably just for the dreamers.

Portsmouth are aiming to refocus their investment on the pitch rather than into infrastructure, says chief executive Andy Cullen.

Pompey open the new Championship season away at Oxford United on Saturday (15:00 BST) having finished 16th on their return to the second tier last season.

The club have had to spend on improvements to both the training ground and their Fratton Park stadium but Cullen wants to now turn their full attention to the first team.

"At the stadium we're delighted where we have spent over the years - getting the capacity back up to 21,000, getting the stands safety compliant," he told BBC Radio Solent's Fans' Forum.

"There's now an accent from the ownership and senior management team to look at ways where we can build new revenue streams but most importantly to try to move some of that capital expenditure which has been heavily focused on the stadium back into the first team.

"That has helped this year with using the additional investment to spend on transfer fees in the early part of the summer and in January and that's going to be our focus going forward - focus on the pitch as best we possibly can."

Portsmouth will shake hands with midfielder Matt Ritchie and part ways "amicably", says boss John Mousinho.

The 35-year-old returned to the club last season, making 41 appearances in all competitions and scoring five league goals as Pompey finished 16th on their return to the Championship.

"We've made a decision as a football club and in Matt as a player and we're going to shake hands and part ways," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent's Pompey Fans' Forum.

"We think it's best for both parties - ultimately when these things happen there's sometimes more of an exaggeration and various conspiracy theories from the outside."

Ritchie started his career at Portsmouth before a number of loan spells were followed by permanent moves to Swindon, Bournemouth and Newcastle.

"It's very straightforward on expectations on both sides. What Matt did for us last year was exceptional and he was a big part of what we achieved and I'm forever grateful for that," added Mousinho.

"Me personally, as a manager, and Matt have different views and ambitions on how things are going to go this year and we think it's best to part amicably and try to find something better for Matt."

Portsmouth open their Championship campaign away at Oxford on Saturday (15:00 BST).

"I think there's a bit more pressure on Pompey in August this time around.

"West Brom away looks tricky but the other three look winnable - but it's preferable not to have the brutal start Portsmouth had last season."

BBC Radio Solent's Chris Wise chats to Pompey commentator Andrew Moon before the big kick-off at Oxford United on Saturday (15:00 BST).

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

BBC Radio Solent are also holding a Portsmouth fans' forum tonight (4 August) and you can listen here.

Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth striker Colby Bishop could miss the start of the Championship season with injury.

The 28-year-old hurt his groin in training last week and was not part of the squad for Pompey's final pre-season friendly as they beat Dutch side PEC Zwolle 1-0 on Saturday.

Bishop scored scored 11 goals in 32 Championship games last season and found the net twice in a 4-0 friendly win over Reading last month.

Portsmouth begin the Championship season with a trip to Oxford United on Saturday.

"Colby has picked up a bit of an injury, a bit of a muscular injury," head coach John Mousinho told BBC Sport.

"We'll see how that progresses, but at the moment he's doubtful for next week."

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has confirmed that forward Callum Lang is expected to stay with the club despite reports linking him with a move.

"Lang will be a Portsmouth player," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent after the side's 4-0 victory over Reading on the weekend.

"You can see on [Saturday's] performance that that isn't a player that's swanning away from the football club. That was a player who played very well on the night."

Pompey also added two new names to the their teamsheet on Friday in midfielders Mark Kosznovszky and Luke Le Roux.

"We've worked hard this summer to make sure we've got the right players in at the right time," Mousinho added.

"There's plenty of work still to do, I think there's plenty of scope still in terms of the numbers we can bring in and also plenty of time."

Listen to the full post-match interview with John Mousinho and more on BBC Sounds.

Portsmouth forward Callum Lang says he's now the fittest he's ever been after missing 10 of the last 13 games last season with a hamstring injury.

Prior to his injury, Lang was a regular feature in the starting XI during Pompey's Championship campaign but was not able to complete a full 90 minutes in any of the final three games upon return from his injury.

However, he has found a silver lining from his time in the recovery room.

"Coming back to pre-season, it's the fittest I've ever been," Lang told BBC Radio Solent.

"I'd like to think as a player I'm pretty fit and I always have been. It's what I pride myself on a lot, my energy and getting around the pitch.

"But I think I've stepped it up a level and I'm even fitter going into this season. The injury and a bit more of a break has let me hit this summer a bit harder."

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

Portsmouth sporting director Richard Hughes said it has been a "tough [transfer] window so far" for the Blues but work continues to bring new faces in.

Australian striker Adrian Segeric, 21, was Pompey's first signing of the summer when he joined from A League side Sydney FC last month, but despite links with former loanees Abu Kamara, of Hull City, and Cardiff's Alex Robertson, Pompey have yet to complete another deal.

Hughes told BBC Radio Solent: "We want to bring in players to add to the group, we are working deliberately and urgently behind the scenes to get that done.

"We keep moving forward, we'll keep trying to get deals done, and keep trying to make the squad as strong as it can be."

While other Championship clubs have parachute payments or big transfer windfalls to spend, Hughes added: "That's not how we operate, it's really tough but we are not going to lose faith in what we do. We're going to stick to the way we operate and we'll see the benefits of that at the end of the window.

"There are three or four deals that we are working really hard on, and we know there is a lot we have to factor in. We're hoping to have bodies through the door sooner rather than later.

"We're in a secure position, there are a couple of gaps, we are really happy with the players we have, it's just about adding to them. It's a project people want to be part of."

Click here to listen to Richard Hughes' interview in full via BBC Sounds.

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

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.

"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.

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

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.

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.

"Hopefully, 30 is the new 20."

Listen to the full interview with Josh Murphy and more on BBC Sounds.

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.

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.

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."

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

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.

John Mousinho works everyone hard on these trips.