Portsmouth

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho spoke to BBC Radio Solent after Saturday's 3-1 win at Lincoln City.

For a written selection of his quotes, click here.

John Mousinho says Portsmouth want to spoil Lincoln's party on Saturday (12:30 BST) as the Imps host their first Championship game since April 1961.

While Pompey went down 3-1 at home to QPR on the opening day, League One Champions City were pipped by a stoppage-time winner at Middlesbrough.

Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent: "I thought they were excellent against Middlesbrough. I didn't see a huge amount of them last year, but obviously they won the league with I think 103 points - a very good achievement.

"From what I've seen, a very good result against Derby (a 1-0 away win in the Carabao Cup first round), very good performance up at the Riverside - they are properly at it."

Mousinho predicted his Blues players will have to rise to the occasion at Sincil Bank and added: "They're a side that have got a huge amount of work rate, energy and hunger. They are a very good side and I think that the people that write them off at any stage of the season will be proved wrong very quickly.

"For them, this is going to be a big occasion. We've got to deal with that. We've got the tools and the leadership within the side to be able to deal with that from a mentality standpoint and also from a football standpoint.

"I think there's going to be a certain feel to the day, but it's obviously up to us to go there and make sure that we try and spoil it."

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Don't over-react and panic but don't sweep under the carpet what has happened. Not a direct quote from John Mousinho but the sentiment from his words this week. Both are accurate.

On paper, his defensive unit to start the season looked strong.

In both games so far, Pompey have thrown away a promising start by conceding three quick goals. Against QPR it felt like an implosion, albeit there was a hint of fortune about the second and third goals.

It's not entirely the fault of the back four and goalkeeper.

Rocco Shein and Ebou Adams are not an ideal central midfield partnership. Both would prefer to be accompanied by a more defensive player that Portsmouth still need to acquire. One of them will need to curb their natural instincts to get forward if they are to play together.

Nico Schmid hasn't reached the heights of his first season since breaking his hand in the South Coast derby last season. There were question marks over him for QPR's first goal. Joe Bursik was solid when he played last season but is set for the exit. Daniel Bielica is an unknown quantity.

Zak Swanson looked more than a makeshift left-back last season. Both he and Terry Devlin have had to battle back from injury this summer. Swanson hasn't been fit enough to play a 90 minutes so far. Connor Ogilvie's latest injury setback highlights the need for another left-back. However, that was already on the cards.

Regan Poole and Conor Shaughnessy have been key players for Portsmouth, both as a pair and individually. Pompey have only ever lost one league match when they have both played the full 90 minutes. Although the fact they've only played the full match together nine times in the Championship highlights the injury issues both have had.

Neither have lived up to their usual high standards in the opening couple of matches. Mousinho remains non-committal on whether Shaughnessy will play every match or be rested for some mid-week games to try to keep him fully fit.

Whether Poole keeps his place in the team might be down to how ready loanee Benji Arthur is to start. Madiodio Dia remains a decent prospect but is adjusting to life in the Championship. Hayden Matthews looks likely to get some game time on loan in League One. Josh Knight has failed to make an impact and could depart.

It would be foolish to write off Shaughnessy or Poole though. Shaughnessy's injury issues are well documented, but he's often looked like a top-half Championship centre-back when fit. Poole has battled back from a serious knee injury and a difficult start to life in the second tier to be one of the club's top performers last season. His consistency was hugely impressive.

Mousinho doesn't need to make drastic changes but he's fully aware his side cannot defend like they have for periods in the opening two matches.

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Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has said there will be no new signings before Saturday's Championship game at Lincoln City.

Pompey are still looking to add to their squad before the transfer deadline in less than two weeks, with the left-back position an area of priority after Connor Ogilvie's injury setback.

Mousinho revealed the club have moved forward with some of their transfer targets, but nothing is likely to be finalised just yet.

"There's progress but we won't see anything before the weekend," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"We had a lot of progress before the QPR game with the signings that came in that week; we're still working on the final touches in the squad, both ins and outs.

"When the dust settles at the back end of the window, I think we'll be fine. We've still got quite a while to go before the end of the window."

As well as incomings, Portsmouth's squad will likely see some departures before the window closes on Tuesday 1 September.

They currently have 29 senior players and will need to cut that number down to 25 before the deadline.

"We're still not 100% comfortable on letting too many go at the moment," Mousinho added.

"There's been a couple of enquiries for players here and there which we're definitely entertaining and we have ears open to everything.

"We're much more comfortable with the state of the squad at the moment but not willing to let two or three go, maybe more happy with one or two. It's just waiting for the right opportunity."

Lincoln City play their first home game in the second tier of English football in 66 years when they host Portsmouth on Saturday (12:30 BST).

The Imps have failed to score in three of the past four meetings between the sides.

• Lincoln City have won just one of their past 14 league games against Portsmouth since 1981 (D4 L9), a 1-0 success away from home in January 2021.

• This will be Portsmouth and Lincoln City's first meeting in the second tier of English football since December 1960, with Pompey winning three of the four matches between the pair at this level (L1).

• Since returning to the Football League for the 2017-18 season, Lincoln have never lost each of their opening two games of a campaign.

• Portsmouth are unbeaten across their past six opening away games of a league campaign (W3 D3), with their three wins in that time as many as across their prior 37 attempts combined between 1984 and 2020.

• Lincoln City's James Collins has scored more league goals against Portsmouth than any other opponent throughout his career – eight of his nine have come in home games, including a four-goal haul for Swindon Town on New Year's Day 2013.

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Portsmouth winger Abu Kamara believes that he can "thrive" back at the club where he previously spent a successful season on loan.

The 23-year-old attacker won promotion with the Blues in 2024 before returning to his parent club Norwich and then being sold to Hull that summer.

He returned to Fratton Park on Saturday after completing a permanent transfer back to the south coast.

"The boss [John Mousinho] called me early on in the window just seeing where things were with me," Kamara told BBC Radio Solent.

"In my heart if I was leaving Hull then I already knew like I was coming back to Portsmouth.

"There's just that familiarity of being comfortable here and the fans [have] shown endless support for me so I knew it was an environment where I could thrive."

Portsmouth lost to QPR 3-1 in their Championship opener with Kamara playing just over an hour on the right-wing.

Pompey went a goal up thanks to a wonder-strike by Terry Devlin, before two Ilias Chair goals and another from Koki Saito sealed victory for the visitors.

"We actually had good spells in the game and we had the chances to kill it off," Kamara added.

"I'm only thinking positive for this season and I think we can compete with the top people.

"It's been a lot of injuries, but now I'm just focused on Portsmouth and this season and trying to do the best I can for the team."

Portsmouth are ready to offload goalkeeper Josef Bursik as he nears a return to fitness. The 26-year-old made 11 appearances for Pompey last season but has not played since being injured against Stoke in April. (The News), external

Portsmouth have also reportedly joined the race to sign Liverpool defender Luke Chambers. QPR and Blackburn Rovers are two other Championship sides interested in taking the 22-year-old on loan. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Find more of Tuesday's EFL gossip here.

The latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Who Needs Mourinho podcast is now out.

Chris Wise and Andy Moon reflect on Portsmouth's 3-1 loss to QPR in the first game of the Championship season at Fratton Park.

They discuss where it went wrong for Pompey, as well as answering questions from supporters in Moon's Musings.

There is also a brief appearance from club legend Linvoy Primus.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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Tom Chappell
Fournilwrittenalloverit

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Saturday's bizarre curtain-raiser was indicative of where Portsmouth are as a side right now, unable to turn an impressive half hour into a complete 90-minute performance.

Conceding three goals at home at any point and under any circumstance is really poor, but to do so on the opening weekend after having gone a goal up, in the fashion we did, within 14 minutes of football is unacceptable.

It is a devastating reminder that if you don't convert in moments of fine margins in the Championship, there is a good chance you will be royally punished.

Abu Kamara's second debut had glimpses of real promise, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen's first outing in Pompey blue was very impressive indeed and those, coupled with Terry Devlin's first-half screamer, are about the long and short of the positives from an otherwise pretty turgid afternoon.

What is perhaps most disappointing is that once QPR's third went past Nico Schmid, a handful of half decent second-half chances aside, the scoreline never really looked like changing.

A chilling awakening on a stiflingly hot Fratton afternoon that proved for all the eye-catching transfer activity so far, we are not yet quite as good as I thought we were.

Find more from Tom and Fournilwrittenalloverit on YouTube., external

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We asked for your thoughts after QPR's 3-1 win against Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday.

Here are some of your comments:

Portsmouth fans

Cynthia: It is the same defensive frailties that Pompey have shown for the last couple of seasons. They need to invest in better quality players in defence rather than spend on midfield and attack. Build a team on a strong defence that spreads confidence to the rest of the team.

Michael: I'm not panicking. Shaughnessy and Abu both missed gilt-edged chances and plenty of dangerous crosses weren't attacked. Players will get used to each other and system but obviously work to do.

Grahame: A disappointing performance and result, reminiscent of last Saturday and much of last season. The new signings cannot disguise the problem from last season: a lack of goals from the central striker and a persistent susceptibility to counter attack.

Dean: Pompey were poor. Fell apart again this week as soon as a goal conceded. Alright, last week was a cup game but six goals in two games? Going to be a long hard season.

Gavin: After a great start, we seem to lose momentum and were undone by some shocking defending. It looks like we could be in for a difficult season!

QPR fans

Serb: First game of the season away from home and we start as we mean to go on. A real togetherness throughout the team which brought its just rewards. And just as important, a fully fit team, although I don't expect that to last long.

Steve: Great team performance, let's hope it's a springboard to an enjoyable season.

Chris: I thought it was a good performance but QPR should have added more goals in the second half. Vale, Chair and Lloyd missed good chances to do so. A special mention to Adamson who came on to play in an unfamiliar left back role and barely put a foot wrong. I was less impressed with starting with Vale and Edwards as makeshift central midfielders with Varane, Kamara and Alemayehu on the bench. Better sides would have capitalised on that pairing.

Colin: A lot of pundits have QPR down for relegation. They may just surprise a lot of them, with some astute signings and a manager in his second term could give them much needed consistency and confidence.

Geoff: Great start to the season. We should make the play-offs.

Andrew Moon
BBC Sport, Hampshire

Image source, Getty Images

A copy of last week, where Portsmouth started very well and deservedly led, but in the end were comfortably beaten.

However, this loss was self-inflicted. Portsmouth fell apart at the end of the first half and those goals will be tough to watch back when the match is reviewed.

QPR do not have anywhere near the quality West Ham possessed last week.

Ebou Adams and Rocco Shein both want to play in a similar way. They are not a natural midfield pairing and would both be better off with a defensive midfielder alongside them. Pompey intend to sign one before the transfer deadline.

Positives were few, but Josh Murphy reminded everyone of his class in his brief cameo and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen showed some bright touches.

Portsmouth struggled to break down sides who sat back against them at Fratton Park last season. On this showing, a solution has not materialised over the summer.

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho spoke to BBC Radio Solent after they lost to QPR at Fratton Park after taking the lead. For a written selection of his quotes, click here.

Image source, Opta

Portsmouth begin their Championship season with the visit of QPR to Fratton Park on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Pompey went down 3-1 at West Ham in the EFL Cup first round last weekend but are unbeaten in their past six league curtain-raisers, winning 1-0 at Oxford United last season.

The Hoops went out of the EFL Cup on penalties against Millwall and are without an opening day win since 2020, drawing 1-1 with Preston last year.

• Portsmouth have won just two of their past 11 league games against Queens Park Rangers (D6 L3), doing the double over them in the 2024-25 Championship campaign.

• Queens Park Rangers have won just one of their past seven away league games against Portsmouth (D3 L3); a 3-1 win in May 2000 under Gerry Francis.

• Portsmouth finished last season losing just one of their final eight league games (W4 D3); only Southampton (17) earned more points in Championship since the beginning of April than Pompey (15).

• QPR lost their final four league games last season; they haven't lost five in a row since October 2023 (a run of six).

• Portsmouth's Adrian Segecic finished last season either scoring (5) or assisting (3) in each of his final six appearances, while overall only three players overperformed their xG by a greater margin in the Championship last season (6.2 – 11 goals, 4.8 xG).

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent Portsmouth commentator

Image source, Shutterstock

There is reason for optimism and positivity around Portsmouth as they head into their third Championship season.

Abu Kamara's return on a permanent basis has been celebrated by supporters. The owners have sanctioned significantly more spending than previous years. Pompey have already spent more than double their outlays in the whole of the last summer window.

For the first time in a while there have been no key departures. In previous years, important loan contributors have been tough to replace.

If the squad is fully fit the starting eleven looks strong. The attacking trio of Josh Murphy, Adrian Segecic and Kamara is very exciting. Marko Milovanovic is the biggest signing in terms of fee that Pompey have made for nearly two decades. Rocco Shein has made a very bright start in midfield.

However, the squad is not fully fit.

Murphy and Connor Ogilvie would both start against QPR but are out. Thomas Waddingham picked up an unfortunate injury last weekend. Keshi Anderson may not return until October. Franco Umeh is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

There are only two fit full backs. Pompey have six central defenders but there are still valid questions over the position.

New loanee Benji Arthur is highly rated but hasn't played in the Championship. Conor Shaughnessy is an excellent player but has struggled to stay fit. Josh Knight struggled with form and fitness last season. Hayden Matthews may benefit from a loan to try and kick start his career.

There are questions of depth in the squad. Not in terms of numbers but in terms of quality. There are likely to be more exits than arrivals between now and the end of the transfer window.

The budget may have increased but it's still modest by Championship standards. Last year it was probably the second lowest in the division. This season it's likely to be around the fifth or sixth lowest.

Therefore, matching last season's 18th place finish wouldn't be a bad effort. Ending halfway up the division would be an excellent achievement, anything higher than that would be something very very special.

Whatever happens though, if Pompey can get their forward line going, it could be a fun ride.

QPR open their Championship season away to Portsmouth on Saturday - and head coach Julien Stephan says it is important not to expect a repeat of the thrashing they handed the visitors back in March.

Stephan's side were 3-0 up inside the first half hour and ended up winning 6-1 at Loftus Road.

But, speaking to BBC Radio London, Stephan said: "I don't think the previous result will have a great importance on Saturday.

"They [Portsmouth] will probably want to have revenge. I can understand that. In reality, when you restart the season, it's just a reset.

"You have to forget what happened the season before because all the teams restart with zero points.

"That's why it's very exciting to restart the new season each time because you have a lot of hope for good things.

"We respect Portsmouth a lot, but the main thing is to stay focused on QPR, how we want to play, how we want to manage this game [and] how we want to win the balance of power."