Portsmouth

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Portsmouth still have things to learn to become a mid-table Championship side, says head coach John Mousinho.

Mousinho's side visit Preston on Saturday, having lost 2-1 at home to bottom-of-the-table Plymouth on Wednesday evening.

"We are where we are - the league table at this stage of the season is a perfect reflection of where you are as a side," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.

"If you look at that sort of game last season, if you stay in it until the 92nd or 93rd minute, you give yourself a chance to pop up with a set-piece or a mistake, score a late goal and that's what we need to do better if we're going to progress as a side."

Portsmouth have won four of their past six games to move seven points clear of the relegation zone as they head to Deepdale but Mousinho believes they still have work to do.

"I've been banging on about it for ages - in a week you can pick up nine points and things change very quickly," he said.

"There are teams we've played who I thought would be up into mid-table obscurity or challenging for the play-offs but are suddenly below us, or vice versa, and we have to be really, really careful about what we do now."

Portsmouth make the trip to Preston North End on Saturday (15:00 GMT) as they look to climb further away from the threat of relegation.

Pompey claimed a huge win over Leeds United on the weekend, but then lost out to bottom side Plymouth Argyle in the midweek.

The Hampshire team got the better of North End in the reverse fixture back in November, though that was at Fratton Park where Pompey have picked up most of their Championship wins this season - only two of their 11 have come on the road.

• Preston are unbeaten in their last 10 league games against Portsmouth at Deepdale (W6 D4), with this their first meeting since March 2013 in League One, a 1-1 draw.

• Portsmouth are looking to complete a league double over Preston North End for the first time since the 1969-70 season.

• Eight of Preston's last 11 league games at Deepdale have been draws (W3), including each of their last three. They've only lost one out of 17 on home soil under Paul Heckingbottom (W6 D10).

• Portsmouth have lost 12 of their last 16 away league games (W2 D2), including eight of their last nine (W1).

• Portsmouth's Josh Murphy has scored in each of his last two Championship games against Preston, while he's also scored in his most recent appearance at Deepdale in April 2017 for Norwich.

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Portsmouth boss John Mousinho says he was surprised by Plymouth Argyle's tactics to defend in a low block during their 2-1 defeat but has called on his side to adapt to different challenges.

Pompey lost for only the second time in their past 13 matches at Fratton Park as the Pilgrims claimed their first away win of the season to boost their survival hopes.

Mousinho's side had to try and break through an well-organised Plymouth defensive unit, which took up residence just outside their penalty area with the hosts enjoying almost exclusive ownership of the ball.

Pompey have averaged 44.4% possession all season (49% when at home) but recorded 80.5% in the loss on Wednesday night, which means they are far from clear of their own relegation concerns.

"We reviewed the game and were realistic about what we think we can do better," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent ahead of the trip to Preston North End on Saturday.

"I watched us keep the ball for 80% of the time and make two mistakes that made it really difficult for us.

"The most annoying thing was having made the mistake just before half-time, we came out in the second half, we started really well and then gave them another goal.

"There were loads of passages of play where we could've shown us creating a load of pressure, maybe not the right amount of chances, although we did towards the end a bit more.

"But unfortunately at that point, it was just too much of a mountain to climb for us."

Mousinho said "never in a million years" did he think Pompey would have 80% possession in the game.

"If you look at the way the game panned out, Plymouth were much less aggressive than we thought they'd be," he added. "I thought we would dominate possession but I didn't think it would be 80%.

"I didn't think they would play as little as they did, they've not done that in the past few games and that's something we have to adapt to and take on board as coaching staff."

"It was a sweeping statement for John Mousinho to say [Portsmouth] aren't good enough for follow ups from their performance at Plymouth.

"It's quite alarming for Portsmouth fans to hear the manager say 'we aren't good enough' or whatever the comment was. They are good enough, quite obviously, that's why they are seven points clear of the relegation zone.

"But are they good enough to have a performance like Sunday, having made two or three changes legs wise? I just don't think he feels Portsmouth are in that position at the moment."

Where did it all go wrong for Portsmouth on Wednesday night as they lost 2-1 to Plymouth?

Chris Wise and Andy Moon are joined by former Pompey midfielder Gareth Evans to discuss going from a jubilant victory over Leeds United to a disappointing loss to Plymouth Argyle in the space of four days.

Listen to the full episode and more on the Who Needs Mourinho podcast.

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator

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A bump back down to earth for Portsmouth after the incredible high of Sunday's win against Leeds United.

Plymouth defended incredibly well and extremely deep, but Pompey played into their hands with misplaced passes - and poor defending allowed two goals on the counter-attack.

Last season in League One, team after team came and parked the bus at Fratton Park but that's not been the case this season and it was as if Pompey had forgotten how to play against teams who did.

Boss John Mousinho was correct to say if the team want to get to the next level they must be able to adapt and win games like that.

Wednesday night highlighted the relative limitations of his side.

Pompey remain in a strong position but the bottom of the table does not quite look as favourable as it did just a few days ago.

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Portsmouth boss John Mousinho spoke to BBC Radio Solent following their 2-1 home defeat by bottom side Plymouth.

"I am feeling incredibly disappointed, angry with the performance, and disappointed with the opportunity that we've spurned, and how the game has panned out," he said.

"Plymouth came and set up really deep, made it difficult for us, those are the games where you have to concentrate, not give anything up.

"It's very difficult to do what Plymouth did for 90 minutes but as soon as you give them a goal and then a second goal after half-time, it becomes a lot easier, you get the energy, you can defend the box a bit better.

"We were fine for the first half an hour, we didn't really break them down a lot and then we started to get sloppy. The goal was absolutely abysmal, the second was as well.

"Those are the sort of games that if you can't break sides down, it's difficult to play against and it's a 0-0 you move on.

"We were up for Sunday and we are not good enough to back it up at the moment. In 10 days we have lost to the bottom two sides in the league and beaten the top team."

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator

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Regan Poole this week became the third Portsmouth player to be tied down to a new contract.

The defender has only made 33 appearances in his near two seasons at Pompey but despite the injuries he's been an impressive figure.

Poole was outstanding before suffering a serious knee injury last season and while follow-up injuries have affected him in this campaign, he's shown he's still the same player.

Colby Bishop and Terry Devlin have also signed new deals to extend their stays at Fratton Park.

While boss John Mousinho is correct to say there is still notable work to do in order to secure their place in the Championship next season, realistically Portsmouth can plan for another year in the second tier.

These two clubs have had differing fortunes as they prepare for the second Dockyard Derby of the season on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

Portsmouth's win over Leeds at the weekend has taken them 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, Plymouth have dropped to the bottom of the Championship and are six points adrift of safety.

• Portsmouth have failed to win any of their past eight league games against Plymouth Argyle (D5 L3), since a 3-0 victory at Fratton Park in September 2018.

• Plymouth Argyle have won each of their past two league games against Portsmouth and will be looking to win three in succession for the first time since 1981.

• Portsmouth have lost only one of their previous 22 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games at Fratton Park (W15 D6), winning three of their five such games this season (D1 L1).

• Plymouth have failed to win any of their past 20 away league games (D5 L15); it's the first time they've failed to win 20+ successive away league matches since November 1984 (24).

• Ryan Hardie has scored four goals in his past four league appearances against Portsmouth for Plymouth, scoring a brace at Fratton Park in September 2021.

Tom Chappell
Fan writer from Fournilwrittenalloverit

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In my two-and-a-bit decades of supporting Pompey, there are very few moments or memories that top an afternoon like that.

Not necessarily the glamour or indeed magnitude of a night under the lights against AC Milan, a Pedro Mendes Manchester City moment or even winning both Leagues One and Two in recent years - but a moment spent alongside friends and family witnessing Pompey beat a Leeds United side destined for top-flight football next season and in turn taking an almighty step towards survival ourselves. Magical.

It felt like an occasion befitting of the division and the calibre of clubs competing against each other with juxtaposing seasonal ambitions and objectives.

Both sets of supporters with relatively fresh memories of serious administrative trouble, two also extremely well renowned fanbases - hailing from two 'proper' football cities.

The game for me changed in the second half upon the introduction on the imperially-dynamic Terry Devlin. Play him anywhere but in goal, he'll do a job for Pompey.

His latest assignment, execute the number 10 role against the best side in the league for the best part of 40 minutes and my word did he do that.

Pompey forged a handful of opportunities which, in turn, lifted an already vociferous home crowd.

A picture perfect route-one ball on the hour mark from Connor Ogilvie left Illan Meslier in two minds - and if there's anyone you'd back in that moment to finish with aplomb, it would be the man with the magic hat to net his sixth since his late November return - all six of them at Fratton Park.

The elephant in the room is of course the wondrous Nicolas Schmid, a man who has bailed out his team-mates on many an occasion since coming into the side, no more so than yesterday.

We've come to almost anticipate at least one Schmid match-defining prevention per game - there were at least three of those against Leeds. Those stops may prove to be rather impactful once all is said and done come early May.

Schmid's heroics were ably backed up by big defensive performances elsewhere too.

Zak Swanson is always one for the big occasion in a blue shirt, Regan Poole almost looks as if he's never been gone, Ogilvie continues his supreme left-back reign - and a final word on the Pompey skipper.

For me, John Mousinho's continued inclusive judgement defensively on Marlon Pack is wholly backable at Fratton Park.

Two more wins, and Pompey will be all but a Championship club next season.

Days like Sunday, with Fratton as crackling as it was, will certainly go a long way in delivering that.

Find more from Tom Chappell at FourNilWrittenAllOverIt., external

Andrew Moon
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator

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An incredible day at Fratton Park. Yes Pompey have been excellent at home since November but this felt like another level. They've beaten the best team in the division and they deserved to.

They got a bit of fortune with two bad misses from Joel Piroe and the benefit of the doubt on an early penalty but this wasn't a smash and grab victory - for large portions of the game Portsmouth were the better team.

The performance couldn't have been more different to last week at Luton. I've felt for the last couple of weeks that had all the centre-backs been fit, Pompey could dream of a top-half finish. The way Regan Poole and Marlon Pack played, the injured defensive trio weren't missed.

Before any lofty goals are set Pompey need to see off Plymouth on Wednesday. Do that and another year in the Championship is all but assured.

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Portsmouth boss John Mousinho hailed his side's superb performance after they toppled Championship leaders Leeds to go 10 points clear of the drop zone.

Colby Bishop's clinical angled finish over Illan Meslier proved the difference, just after the hour, though Pompey keeper Nicolas Schmid had to make a string of vital saves in both halves to keep the visitors at bay.

"We were superb, for the goal, the performance, it was all excellent," the Blues boss told BBC Radio Solent.

"I can't pick anyone out that was below standard, it was really deserved as well I thought.

"I'm thrilled we got the three points because that will give us so much confidence going forward.

"We defended really well and limited Leeds to very few chances, I'm really pleased for Colby [Bishop], it was a really good finish."

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John Mousinho says it would be a "massive achievement" if Portsmouth could avoid defeat at home to Championship leaders Leeds on Sunday (12:00 GMT).

Pompey played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road in their first game following promotion from League One in August, but the Blues boss says they have "moved on significantly" since then.

Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent: "It felt like we could have won the game but we could have lost it too considering the number of chances they had.

"It was an absolute whirlwind introduction for everybody at the club to the Championship. We could have been four down in about 10 minutes.

"It was a rollercoaster of a game but we have moved on significantly from then as a squad and a side."

Pompey go into the weekend with an eight-point cushion over the relegation zone with 11 games to play, but Mousinho knows his side will have his work cut out against Daniel Farke's title-chasers.

"They're the best team in the league," Mousinho added.

"They have got a huge amount of talent in the squad and coming off the bench. We saw that on the opening day of the season and we've seen it consistently throughout the season.

"They've been right at the top of their game for large parts of the season. We expect a really tough test.

"The positive for us is that we're playing at home and it's very difficult for any side to come to Fratton Park – we have to make sure it's difficult for Leeds and we don't give them an easy ride.

"It's really important we get a good base in the game and are solid to start off with. We'll make it as difficult as possible for Leeds to get their game going. It would be a massive achievement if we can get something."

Mousinho also revealed Australian striker Thomas Waddingham is '50-50' to return to the squad after a groin problem which has seen him miss Portsmouth's past five games.

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John Mousinho has praised Pompey wide-man Josh Murphy who he says is striving to live up to his potential.

Murphy, who turned 30 last month, was nominated for February's Championship player of the month award after scoring one goal and assisting four more in a month which saw the Blues take 10 points from five tough Championship fixtures.

A former England under-20 international, Murphy came through the ranks at Norwich City and played in the Premier League for the Canaries and later Cardiff, but after a loan spell at Preston, dropped down to League One for the first time in his career to join Oxford United in 2022.

Pompey boss Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent the recognition was: "Down to Josh himself and how well he's turned around that period of his career where he didn't have as much success as he'd have liked.

"He really knuckled down, by the time Oxford signed him it was later in pre-season, he was on a free, there was nobody that really fancied him, so it was completely down to what Josh did in that two-years to put himself in the shop window and have a fantastic back end of last season."

Murphy moved to Fratton Park on a free transfer after the U's joined Pompey in earning promotion last season. He ranks joint-third overall in the Championship for assists with nine, along with his six goals in 31 appearances.

"The most pleasing thing for me is that Josh didn't just produce what he did from February onwards for Oxford and then get a contract here and rest up," Mousinho added.

"It's really fuelled him to go again and to make sure he hits the heights he can hit.

"Fair play to him, he's physically in probably the best shape of his career and it's all paying off for him at the moment, so I'm really pleased for him."

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John Mousinho says he has an 'unhealthy' habit of fixating on defeats and can vividly recall all 25 he has endured as Portsmouth boss.

The 38-year-old was appointed at Fratton Park in January 2023 and suffered four losses in his first 23 matches in charge as Pompey finished eighth in League One.

Portsmouth lost only five of 46 matches last season as they finished as champions, though Saturday's 1-0 reverse at Luton was their 16th in 35 games following promotion to the Championship.

In 104 league games under Mousinho, Portsmouth have won 48 and lost 25 and after, being in the relegation zone in mid-January, a run of five wins, one draw and four defeats in the last 10 games have given the club an excellent chance of avoiding an immediate return to the third tier.

Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent when it comes to defeats, the trick is to get the right balance between reflecting on them and moving on.

"The key is to get over it as quick as possible, but what you don't want to do is just brush it under the carpet and not learn from some of the mistakes we made," Mousinho said.

"We made sure we got everything out of our system [after Luton]. There's still some important things to be aware of going into future games."

With the visit of Championship leaders Leeds on Sunday [12:00 GMT], Mousinho said he finds it harder not to dwell on bad results.

"I can still remember every single loss from last season and the season before, and this season as well.

"You never properly get over them because there's always something to take from them.

"The wins go out of your mind. It's probably not a particularly healthy habit in football – the losses are always amplified and it feels like the end of the world, after you win a game you want to try and keep your feet on the ground and play it down."

The final game of the Championship weekend sees leaders Leeds United travel to Portsmouth on Sunday (12:00 GMT).

Daniel Farke's side are unbeaten in 17 league games but could be level on points at the summit when they head to the south coast, if Sheffield United win on Saturday.

John Mousinho's Blues go into the weekend in 17th, with an eight-point cushion over the relegation zone.

• Portsmouth are winless across their past five league games against Leeds United (D4 L1), after the pair drew 3-3 at Elland Road in August.

• Leeds United have failed to win any of their past six away league games against Portsmouth (D4 L2), since a 3-2 victory at Fratton Park in April 1986.

• Portsmouth have won eight of their past 11 home Championship matches (D2 L1), having failed to win any of their first six home games this season (D3 L3).

• Leeds United are unbeaten in their past 17 Championship games (W12 D5), their best unbeaten run in the league since going 30 games without defeat between May 1973 and February 1974 under Don Revie.

• This game will kick off at 12pm with Leeds picking up just 1.22 points per game in league fixtures this season that have kicked off earlier than 3pm (P9 W2 D5 L2), compared to 2.50 points per game in games that have kicked off at 3pm or later (P26 W20 D5 L1).

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Terry Devlin wants to repay Portsmouth's faith in him after being handed a new deal at Fratton Park.

The versatile 21-year-old midfielder was limited to four appearances off the Blues bench in their opening 11 Championship games.

But the Northern Ireland Under-21 international - who arrived from Glentoran in 2023 - has featured in 20 of Pompey's next 24 league games, starting nine of them at right back, and has been rewarded with a new three-year contract at Fratton Park.

He told BBC Radio Solent: "I'm buzzing to sign a new deal. I have loved it every since I came over – it's been tough but it's been unbelievable. I can't wait to continue the journey.

"Obviously the club think something about me and offered me a new deal, which I am really pleased about. I just can't wait to repay them and keep working as hard as I can."

Devlin helped Pompey earn promotion from League One last season and admitted: "It's been a huge step up. At the start of the season it was really tough, finding myself in and out of squads, but I have worked as hard as I could to get myself back in there and kept myself in there ever since.

"It's been a really good turnaround from us. At the start of the season we were finding our feet, I think we were all a bit taken aback by the standard and intensity of the league.

"We have got our feet on the ground now and know what to expect, we know how to get results and play a bit better."

Leeds United earned a battling 3-3 draw at Elland Road in their opening game of the season in August and renew acquaintances at Fratton Park on Sunday (12:00 GMT).

"We got a really good point away from home," Devlin added. "It was a really crazy game, they hit the bar three times in the first six minutes. Thankfully we stuck in there and got a point.

"They are top of the league for a reason. They're going to be playing Premier League football next season. At home it suits us a bit more, we've had a good run of form at home and when the crowd gets behind us it can be really tough for opposition teams. We're going to give them a good game.

"There's a lot of points to play for, the job's (survival) not done yet, we have got to go and finish it off."