After suffering back-to-back defeats against Burnley and Watford following the international break, Bristol City managed to secure a much-needed home win over Plymouth Argyle at Ashton Gate last weekend.
A brace from Anis Mehmeti between goals from Scott Twine and Sinclair Armstrong was enough to secure a 4-0 win for the Robins. With the victory of Wayne Rooney’s side now behind City, attentions turn to this weekend’s trip to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth.
John Mousinho’s side currently sit bottom of the Championship table having only managed to win two of their opening 16 league matches after winning promotion back to the second tier as League One champions last season.
Pompey do have two games in hand on those around them in the relegation zone having seen games against both Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park and Millwall at Fratton Park suspended, the first when the pitch was deemed unplayable and the second following a floodlight failure.
The Robins haven’t faced Portsmouth since January 2021 when under the management of Dean Holden they beat Pompey 2-1 at Ashton Gate in the FA Cup, and the two clubs haven’t met in the league since 2012.
Ahead of Saturday afternoon’s game, Bristol Live spoke to Dan Godrey from Pompey News to get the latest insight on the season so far at Fratton Park.
How would you evaluate Portsmouth’s season so far?
An eye-opener. We knew Pompey would struggle at the beginning with the tough run of fixtures, but the club have been very quickly reminded of the gulf between the Championship and League One even against the teams around them. Pompey overnight became a small fish in a far bigger pond after promotion.
The owners have invested a lot into the club’s infrastructure but at a cost to the squad and they must operate well in January to build a serious survival challenge. The summer squad overhaul has worked in certain areas, but many players are nowhere near ready for regular Championship football, and opponents are recognising the weak links throughout the side.
Do the supporters remain behind Mousinho despite the difficult start?
Absolutely. I believe Mousinho still has enough in the tank from all the hard work to finally get back into the second tier – a view shared by many supporters up to now. He is a young head coach who is essentially learning on the job and recently both he and sporting director Rich Hughes signed new contracts at Fratton Park.
He has attracted justified criticism at times this season but has taken it in his stride and among all the issues facing Pompey on the pitch this campaign, the gaffer, at least right now, is the least of the club’s worries. The frustration is whether or not we will ever find out what he and Hughes could do with a cash injection into player recruitment.
Bristol City Live on Whatsapp
Join Bristol City Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol City stories sent straight to your phone
Bristol City Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol City news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
How are former City players Marlon Pack and Ryley Towler getting on at Fratton Park?
Interestingly, the fate of the two is directly linked right now. Pack has been drafted in at centre-half amid this season’s defensive injury woes, while natural defender Towler, who remains fit, is not getting a look-in. That gives a strong indication that Mousinho does not trust Towler in the Championship, despite him starting the first four games of the season.
It is likely he will soon head out on loan, which could benefit all parties as he remains an immaculate professional. Pack was always going to be kept around after an incredible season with his boyhood club in 2023/24, though he is showing signs of slowing down compared to his earlier years in the Championship with the Robins, and Cardiff City.
Who are the key players City fans should be looking out for?
Callum Lang is always a threat going forward and covers the ground of two players. He has been a shining light this season in a struggling side. Elsewhere, Josh Murphy, a former teammate of Mousinho, was signed on a free from Oxford United in the summer and is now producing after returning from injury.
The experience of both he and veteran Matt Ritchie has been crucial of late to the points Pompey have gradually collected and the Championship status of the club partially hinges on the duo staying fit and continuing to have an impact. Murphy, Lang and Ritchie are likely to start as a three in behind Colby Bishop, who was prolific in League One and has recently returned after summer heart surgery.