Portsmouth

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Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has said they will "add to the budget" next season and there will be more "money available" for them to spend on the playing squad.

With safety confirmed in the Championship for another season having worked with one of the smallest budgets in the division, Mousinho has already shared his desire for the club to establish themselves in the second tier.

"There's some exciting plans in place in terms of moving forward in the Championship," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.

"We're not going to be anywhere near the biggest spenders in the league but we're going to add to the budget and there will be more money available which will be great.

"We have to be ambitious and build, just staying in the Championship has given us half a chance of doing that, my overall feeling is one of excited as to where we can go as a club."

Despite the encouraging season and immense progress shown, Mousinho still wants to manage expectations and says the long-term plan is not one to be rushed.

"There is no massive rush next year to all of a sudden become a side challenging at the top end of the league," he added.

"That point will definitely come but for now we need to have the foundations in first and go from there, the strategy here is long term and we will build on that and continue next year."

Portsmouth can now start planning for a second season in the Championship after securing their second-tier status on Monday.

The Who Needs Mourinho? team of Chris Wise, Andy Moon and Guy Whittingham discuss the two wins over the Easter weekend, survival and looking to the future.

"To win any league is difficult and is a massive achievement, but so is staying in the Championship with the budget they've got and the injuries they've had," said former Portsmouth forward Whittingham.

You can listen to all episodes of the Who Needs Mourinho? podcast on BBC Sounds.

Tom Chappell
Fan writer from fournilwrittenalloverit

Image source, Rex Features

Yesterday John Mousinho cemented himself as my favourite Pompey manager in living memory.

His back-to-back triumphs of promotion from League One with a handful of games to spare, twinned with surviving this season, with some of the biggest challenges imaginable thrown at him, are two truly remarkable accomplishments, achieved by a truly remarkable man.

I would argue that survival in the Championship for Pompey is just as big, if not perhaps a bigger achievement, than the title-winning success last season.

To back that up, I'd point to the luckless injury run which has seemingly plagued the campaign, some of the run of games and fixture list (or lack thereof given postponements!) and a number of officiating calls to our detriment as some of the salient undertones to a turbulent first season in the second tier in over a decade.

It feels fitting that Colby Bishop was ultimately the man to provide the goal that retained Pompey's divisional status for at least another season - a player whose contributions since his timely return in November have played a critical role in the survival effort.

During the second half against Watford the pressure of what was at stake wore on our faces - the longer the lead remained at a slender 1-0, despite multiple Pompey opportunities, the more pressure seemed to mount.

Watford demonstrated a real elegance on the ball and looked capable of hurting Pompey at any given moment - yet it was only really a world-class tip onto the crossbar from Nicolas Schmid that properly moved him all afternoon.

The 10 minutes of stoppage time seemed never ending before Sam Allison blew the all-important full-time whistle.

Pompey now have two games to bask in their glory, full in the knowledge that they will be competing at this level for at least another season.

Post-match comments from both Mousinho and Regan Poole regarding "finishing strong" will chime well with supporters - there's a very plausible argument to be made that when all is said and done, Pompey's ultimate final league position could look incredibly comfortable.

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator

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Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth have done it and to achieve survival with two matches remaining is a fine achievement.

Once again they made it hard for themselves though. They've won 5 of their past 7 home matches but all by just a single goal.

They were the better side in the first half but lost momentum after taking the lead and then squandered a number of decent chances to make the game safe.

John Mousinho felt his side were worse against 10 men. Somehow they managed to keep the ball in the corner flag for most of second half stoppage time.

Planning for next season will already have begun but for now everyone connected with the club should celebrate mission accomplished.

Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho said that the club now "need to establish" themselves as Championship side having confirmed safety.

The Blues beat Watford at Fratton Park to open up a six point gap to the league's bottom three with two games to go.

Hull City and Derby below them still have to play each other which confirmed Portsmouth as officially safe.

"I thought we played so well in the first half and didn't manage to put it to bed in the second." Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.

"I think the boys had nerves with the severity of the occasion and how important it was to pick up the three points.

"It's a brilliant achievement but it's the next building block for where we need to go as a football club, we need to establish ourselves here now, we will go again and improve from where we have been this season.

"Survival hasn't quite sunk in for me yet because of the emotion of the game, I will definitely have a beer tonight though!"

Tom Chappell
Fan writter from Fournilwrittenalloverit

Image source, Getty Images

My feeling is very much that yesterday's win at Norwich City will be noted down as 'the moment' that clinched Portsmouth's goal of survival this season.

Just like Kusini Yengi's late winner at Peterborough United in the previous title-winning campaign - whilst not beyond numerical certainty at the time - is fondly reflected on as when we knew we'd done it.

Pompey are very much the talk of the Championship at the start of this extended footballing weekend.

Colby Bishop's first professional career hat-trick, Josh Murphy breaking Opta records for assists in a single season, and Regan Poole became a second-tier goalscorer. It was quite the afternoon.

The completely bonkers affair usurped a Pompey convention on the road - we've been in games, but repeatedly have been undone by a single goal of late. My mind takes me to Sheffield United, Preston North End, Millwall and Coventry City.

Whilst there are similarities to draw in terms of the frenetic nature of some of these away games - none of them have seen us exert such goal-scoring prowess as we did in East Anglia yesterday afternoon.

I felt particularly at the break [1-3 for those keeping count], that we'd had almost everything you could ask for from a Pompey performance on the road. Score early, yes, get pegged back, but show the character and the guile to look beyond that and continue to play our game.

How many times has conceding away from home completely killed any level of performance or momentum in a game for us this season? It didn't happen yesterday.

Freddie Potts had a wonderful afternoon - considering Norwich's reluctance to tackle it made his display an absolute joy to watch. Some of the football he orchestrated from the middle of the park was sublime.

It was also Adil Aouchiche's best performance in a Pompey shirt. He's shown a real tenacity and desire since arriving in January, so it's great to see that translate into tangible returns in terms of assists.

Murphy needs little discussion or description - it's almost as if sometimes when he's running at pace with the ball, his feet don't actually look like they're touching the ground.

Of all English players across the Premier League and Championship, only Cole Palmer (22) has more goal involvements than Pompey's magic man (20) on the left wing.

Speaking of magic men - a last word on Bishop.

Missing a penalty in a massive moment not six days before, the call comes for him to take another one is an almost obscene mental battle - yet as he stood over the spot-kick facing the River End, I had absolutely no doubt that he was going to bury it. And bury it he did.

Having been out for three months of the season following heart surgery, to score 10 Championship goals since November, including a hat-trick yesterday to put Pompey six points clear of the drop zone with three games to play - there's very little that will top that as a story this season.

I've been in every single Pompey away end this season, and it may well come as no surprise to you to say it was the loudest I have heard us on our travels.

The full-time air was full of a genuine optimism for just short of 2,000 travelling fans that Pompey will retain their Championship status for at least another year.

Fingers crossed it won't be long before that all-important numerical certainty.

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Portsmouth manager John Mousinho says the 5-3 win over Norwich was "stressful" but hopes his side take belief from it.

Colby Bishop's hat-trick and goals from Matt Ritchie and Regan Poole lifted Pompey six points above the relegation zone.

But Mousinho said he wasn't confident in the result even at the late stages of the game.

"It hasn't quite sunk in yet. It was quite a stressful 90 minutes for me," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.

"Even at 5-2 up with eight minutes to go, I still didn't feel secure, probably because of the position we are in. I am delighted and once it sinks in, I'll be more pleased, but we've got to go again tomorrow and make sure we are focussed again for Monday."

Mousinho wants his side to believe they can win more away games after just a second in 17 this season.

"We spoke before the about putting it all together. We've done it in patches in games but not consistent enough. We do deserve to be in the Championship and we've mixed it with every team here.

"The next stage is making sure we do it more often."

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent Portsmouth commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Wow. Portsmouth are almost over the line and they did it in some style.

They've been better defensively on the road this season but going forwards they were outstanding, taking full advantage of some generous Norwich defending.

A perfect hat-trick for Colby Bishop takes him to 10 league goals for the season, some achievement given that he didn't play until November due to heart surgery.

John Mousinho didn't find it comfortable, describing it as a "stressful watch" which summed up his side at the back.

Realistically, 49 points might be enough to stay up but another win on Monday should seal the deal.

With Norwich already looking ahead to next season, according to midfielder Anis Ben Slimane, Portsmouth might fancy their chances of taking advantage of side with little to play for over the next four games as Pompey try to seal their place in the Championship for next term.

Four points clear of trouble, maybe one more win will do it - that's certainly the view of BBC Radio Solent's Andrew Moon on the latest edition of the Who Needs Mourinho? podcast.

Here are the stats ahead of their Good Friday game (15:00 BST).

• Norwich City have won only three of their past 12 Football League games against Portsmouth (D5 L4), though are unbeaten in their last two meetings (W1 D1).

• After beating Norwich 2-0 in December 2010, Portsmouth could win successive away league games against the Canaries for the first time since September 1968.

• Norwich are unbeaten in their past four league games on Good Friday (W2 D2), winning each of their last two against Blackburn in 2023 (2-0) and Plymouth in 2024 (2-1).

• Portsmouth are unbeaten in their past nine league games on Good Friday (W5 D4), though did lose their last such game in the second tier 3-0 at Ipswich in 2003.

• Norwich's Josh Sargent (10 goals) and Portsmouth's Josh Murphy (10 – three goals, seven assists), are two of the four players to have 10+ goal involvements in the Championship in 2025.

In the latest Who Needs Mourinho? Chris Wise and Andy Moon look at the 2-2 draw with Derby draw and try to predict who might be getting relegated from the Championship.

Pompey are not out of the scrap either - John Mousinho's side are four points clear of the bottom three with four games remaining.

Up next are Norwich City away on Good Friday, and Chris and Andy look ahead to that one and, of course, there's your questions in Moon's Musings.

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent Portsmouth commentator

Image source, Rex Features

When Portsmouth stunned Leeds in early March to move 10 points clear of the bottom three, many fans thought Pompey were safe. One win in six since then has dragged the Blues back into the relegation battle.

The performances haven't been bad but they have developed a nasty habit of conceding late goals, especially away from home where they've lost 12 of the past 13 matches.

If Pompey do stay up, it will be almost entirely down to their results at Fratton Park.

Injuries have been a problem but Rob Atkinson returned last weekend, Conor Shaughnessy is close to a return and top scorer Callum Lang hasn't given up on playing again this season. It's hard to imagine Portsmouth would be in any danger if those three had stayed fit.

One win from four might be enough to stay up from here, two would definitely do it and the fixture list is kinder than some other relegation rivals.

Back in November when Pompey were rooted to the bottom of the table, they would have bitten your arm off to be in this position.

A few struggles and some unfortunate results have led to a couple of jitters but the Blues should have enough to see the job through.

The sole objective all season has been staying up - 21st or higher marks a good first season back in the second tier for 12 years.

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Rob Atkinson says he will be "forever grateful" for the opportunity Portsmouth have given him this season and is desperate to help keep the club in the Championship.

The 26-year-old, who has been on loan at Pompey from Bristol City since January, was heavily involved in the 2-2 draw with Derby on Saturday, scoring twice and also turning into his own net.

His 91st-minute equaliser could yet prove to be a vital point for John Mousinho's side, who are four points clear of the relegation zone with four games to play.

"It's not done, I won't be happy until we're definitely safe and playing Championship football again next season," Atkinson told BBC Radio Solent.

"I feel the club owes me nothing and I owe a tremendous amount to the club because they took a big, big gamble on me and I'll forever be grateful for that."

Atkinson missed the previous seven league games with injury and had been struggling with illness before the Derby game but came straight in to start at Fratton Park.

"I think that's just the way I am as a person but also as a professional footballer," he said.

"I'm not really your stereotypical academy brought up football player. I've done it the hard way and I see playing football as a bit of a blessing really.

"I've been in relegation battles before. I know how to play in those sort of situations."

If Portsmouth do stay up, Atkinson believes they have the ability to finish much higher up the table next season.

"I think this football club is going to be way better than that next season," he added.

"They've got the nucleus, the core of players that are dangerous and will cause any defence - as we have this season - trouble.

"With a home record and a home ground like this... just need to fix that away form and you could be well up there."

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator

Image source, Rex Features

It makes a nice change for a last-minute goal to go in Pompey's favour!

This game was everything you would have expected - [it was] tense, physical and direct. Once Colby Bishop missed an early penalty there was very little between the sides.

All the focus will be on Rob Atkinson's contributions at both ends of the pitch.

Portsmouth look a better defensive unit with him in, had he stayed fit it's hard to imagine they would still be in the relegation picture.

John Mousinho was rightly frustrated with the way Pompey conceded the goals, there have been too many sloppy ones in recent weeks.

Pompey are crawling towards safety but four points from their final four games may well be enough.

Image source, Rex Features

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho spoke to BBC Radio Solent after Rob Atkinson scored both of Pompey's goals - as well as an own goal - in their 2-2 draw with Derby County.

"Before the game we wanted to win it, it was a big game for us but the most important thing was to not lose the game," Mousinho said.

"So when you go through what we went though today, in terms of missing a penalty, then shooting ourselves in the foot conceding the goals at really poor times, to come back into it was really pleasing.

"Rob [Atkinson] is a player who has two years' worth of bad injuries at Bristol City, and he came in in January and we managed him back into the fold and he unfortunately got that calf injury against QPR [in February].

"But there aren't many players with five games left on their loan risking what Rob risked today. He will go back to Bristol City after his loan, but he came in and he played like he had a four-year contract at Portsmouth, and I'm really pleased we have characters in the dressing room like that.

"He didn't have to do it, he was pencilled in for 60 minutes and we got beyond that, and as you saw, he left everything out there."

Tom Chappell
Fan writer from Fournilwrittenalloverit

Image source, Getty Images

As I write more than 24 hours on, the sickener on Wednesday night remains on my mind.

Disappointment this season has been a regularity for Portsmouth fans and, although never easy to get over, is routinely something we have dealt with - but the manner in which devastation was handed to Pompey in this game will live long in the memory.

Having been there and watched us lose every one of the 15 games in which we have succumbed to defeat on the road this season, that is the worst I have felt leaving an away end.

West Bromwich Albion, Derby and Stoke all embarrassing in equal measure and unacceptably poor. Wednesday night was different.

You couldn't have asked for any more in terms of defensive performances from the likes of Regan Poole and Connor Ogilvie right up to 93-and-a-half minutes in.

A characterisation of the cruel mistress that we call the Championship embodied in a heartbeat - make one mistake with 20 seconds on the clock and face the devastating consequences.

I make it seven points that Pompey have let slip in time post the regulation 90 minutes this season.

That leaves little consideration other than to think that it's a mentality issue. Too many times a lead or a point has been let slip with moments to spare.

A green shoot from the congested Championship run-in is that attention turns very quickly to Saturday.

Simply the biggest game for Pompey in many, many years.

Win it and the season is defined by a critical victory and only a handful of points will then be needed from the remaining subsequent games.

Lose (or anything but win) and we will be left in nothing other than serious trouble.

It's worth pointing out there have been moments this season in which the pressure has been very much on for John Mousinho's side to get a result when really needing it.

My mind takes me back to the lead up to both the Cardiff and Stoke games this season where a seismic win was an absolute necessity. We delivered on both those nights.

What is also noteworthy is that Pompey are the best positioned team at this juncture of any of the other sides desperate to avoid the drop.

You would not want to swap either our run of games nor our league position with any other team within a handful of points below us.

Tomorrow, it is completely in our hands at Fratton Park. On many an occasion this team has delivered on home soil with the backing of some of the most vociferous support in the land.

It's time to do it again.

Image source, PA Media

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho says his side have played "better under pressure" this season.

He was speaking ahead of a crucial clash with Derby County in the battle to avoid relegation from the Championship.

Pompey were 10 points clear of the drop zone after a 1-0 win over Leeds United a month ago, but a run of four defeats in their past five games has seen the gap cut to just three points.

Meanwhile, the Rams are 21st and would move above Portsmouth on goal difference if they win at Fratton Park on Saturday (15:00 BST).

"I feel like we've played better when we're under a bit of pressure," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.

"When we've had a bit of a better buffer or more of a gap to the bottom three, that's been the time when I think we've not been able to actually produce the result and the performances we should have.

"I think we're a better side under pressure, so I'm welcoming it for this weekend."

Despite suffering defeat in stoppage time at Coventry on Wednesday night, Mousinho says every player should be "relishing" the challenge against Derby.

"We get to play a home game at Fratton Park at the back end of the season with our league destiny in our own hands," he added.

"I think that's an amazing thing to be part of, so I think the lads will be positive and excited about playing the game."