Portsmouth

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Middlesbrough's five-game unbeaten run in October which took them to the top of the Championship has been recognised with two awards.

Head coach Kim Hellberg has been named the division's manager of the month while striker Will Lankshear has scooped the player accolade.

Boro took 13 points from a possible 15 last month, including notable victories over promotion rivals Wolves and Stoke.

Lankshear enjoyed a prolific October, scoring seven goals in five games with doubles against Bolton and Charlton to take his tally to 15 goals in all competitions since joining from Tottenham for an initial fee of £10m in July.

Birmingham's Chris Davies, Tonda Eckert of Southampton and Portsmouth boss John Mousinho were also nominated for the manager of the month award.

After several seasons of finding themselves in a relegation scrap, Portsmouth are enjoying life closer to the other end so far this season with just two points keeping them out of the play-off places.

It's an "unexpected" start to the season that Pompey fan and The News journalist Pepe Lacey has been revelling in.

"It's been really enjoyable to watch because it's not like Portsmouth are just scraping over the line, there have been some really strong performances since the turn of the international break back in October," Lacey told BBC Radio Solent.

"It's been good to see some positivity around the start of the season because Portsmouth have started so poorly the first couple of years.

"I don't think many Pompey fans would have expected to see Pompey where they are currently and two points off the play-offs is nothing short of spectacular."

Listen to the full start of the season review above or on BBC Sounds here.

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Birmingham City boss Chris Davies, Southampton's Tonda Eckert, Kim Hellberg of Middlesbrough and Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho have been nominated for the Championship's Manager of the Month award for October.

Davies led Blues to four wins from their five league games last month which included a victory at West Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion.

Southampton continued their strong start to the season in October with 13 points from their five unbeaten matches under Eckert to move into the top eight in the Championship table.

Hellberg took Middlesbrough to the top of the table last month as his side scored 14 goals in their five games which produced 13 points.

Portsmouth's October started with a derby defeat by Southampton before Mousinho's side went on a five-match unbeaten run, securing 11 points and moving into play-off contention.

The winner will be announced on Friday, 13 November.

"I think Portsmouth played as well in the first 45 minutes as they have done all season, they really controlled the game against a team who are going to be up there - I thought it was really impressive.

"There was a lot to like about what they did."

"Nico Schmid's performance is the elephant in the room. I can't quite figure out what happened with that first goal. If Schmid does what he should do 99 times out of 100 and fall on that ball nothing happens after it.

"That little moment gave Stoke a lift, it came from nothing. It was so avoidable.

"I think he's under pressure. I think that department is under scrutiny. Mental toughness comes into it. You always feel there's that moment over a few games where he's going to lack concentration."

Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to Stoke brought an end to Portsmouth's six game unbeaten streak and left the Blues 11th going into the international break.

In the latest edition of BBC Radio Solent's Who Needs Mourinho? podcast former Portsmouth defender Paul Robinson joins Andrew Moon and Chris Wise to discuss the defeat and to look at the goalkeeping situation at Fratton Park.

There's also your questions answered in Moon's Musings

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

Portsmouth forward Tyrese Shade believes that Saturday's defeat to Stoke City underlines just how relentless the Championship is this season.

That result was Pompey's first loss after a run of six games unbeaten that allowed John Mousinho's side to at one stage climb into the play-off positions.

The Blues are still well positioned in the table, 11th in the standings with just a two point gap to the top eight and a huge 12 points clear of the relegation zone after 15 matches.

Shade scored the opener for Pompey before the Potters found the net twice in the second half at Fratton Park to take all three points.

"That's the cruel side of football," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"We played well for 45 minutes, came out in the second half, dropped a bit of a gear and got punished with, I think, two avoidable goals but it just goes to show how relentless this league is.

"We've got to be a bit harsh on ourselves because there's no way we come off that pitch without a point. We've got to be disappointed, but not to dwell on it too much and just go again."

Shade signed at Fratton Park over the summer, joining from Burton Albion having previously spent time in Hampshire at National League side Eastleigh.

This campaign he has made 11 appearances and registered one assist, with his goal on Saturday his first for the club.

The 26-year-old found himself on the end of a loose ball from a set-piece and then curled one into the far side of the net with his right boot.

"People in my position thrive off goals and it's something I've been working for since I've come in the building," he added.

"I was disappointed the goal didn't count for anything in the end, but for a personal achievement, I'm chuffed."

Tom Chappell
Fan writer from Fournilwrittenalloverit

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Saturday was not a game too far for Pompey after a six-match unbeaten run. Instead, they were undone by two mistakes against a strong Stoke side who pounced to punish.

Tuesday's first-half performance against Swansea City at the time felt like the best of the season so far. Saturday afternoon went one better for me. I felt we went in at the break at least a goal light after a fantastic opening 45.

Odin Bailey had his best game in a Pompey shirt and came close to scoring a classic solo goal.

Pompey continued our new-found high press, high tempo, suffocation football for large spells at Fratton Park which in turn prompted a response from the crowd.

As Mousinho said at full-time, frustratingly, a second-half clean sheet wins that game for his side.

Contextualised, we have played some former Premier League teams alongside strong Championship sides and come away with a productive points tally in the past three weeks.

Although an away side turning around a one-goal deficit at Fratton Park will be tough to dwell on during the international break, there is so much for Pompey to take on with them when club football resumes.

Twenty-two points from our opening 15 games, so just short of a third of the way through. There are many seasons recently where we would have treated that as a luxury.

It is a points return that is the positive reflection of the level Pompey are competing at.

Find more from Tom at the Fournilwrittenalloverit, external YouTube channel

After a string of matches where Portsmouth came out on top or drew very close games there's a certain irony that the Blues were defeated after producing possibly their best half of the season.

In fact they paid the price for not converting that dominance in the first 45 minutes into more than a one-goal lead.

Stoke improved after the second half but their goals, particularly the first one, were soft.

Nico Schmid has made some good saves since returning to the team but his position will come into question after today.

John Mousinho's comments at the end of his interview - questioning "what this team wants to be" - were fascinating.

He's previously sidestepped any questions about the play-offs or the league position, but clearly he believes this side has the capability to hang around in the top half of the division at the very least.

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho was disappointed after his side squandered a half time lead against high-flying Stoke. For a written selection of quotes on the game click here.

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Red-hot Stoke will aim to go top of the Championship when they visit in-form Portsmouth on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

Pompey are seeking a seventh game unbeaten after their 3-1 win over Swansea on Tuesday night and could jump as high as sixth if results go their way.

The Potters are fourth after Tuesday's 2-1 win at Blackburn made it 26 points earned from their past 11 games and a victory, coupled with Wolves failing to win at Wrexham in another early-kick off, would see Mark Robins' side take over at the summit for a couple of hours at least.

• Following their 3-1 win in April, Portsmouth are looking to win consecutive league games against Stoke for the first time since December 1997.

• Stoke have won two of their past three away league games against Portsmouth (L1), as many as they had in their previous 20 visits to Fratton Park (D7 L11).

• Having lost three of their first four league games this season (W1), Portsmouth have now lost just one of their past 10 (W5 D4) and are unbeaten in their past six (W4 D2).

• Since the start of September, Stoke have won more games (8), more points (26) and conceded fewer goals (8) than any other Championship side. They had lost seven in a row prior to this run.

• Jack McGlynn has been involved in six goals in his eight Championship starts this season (4 goals, 2 assists), with only Ethan Galbraith being involved in more for Stoke (7).

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We asked for your thoughts after Portsmouth's 3-1 victory over Swansea City in the Championship.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: What a win. For 75 minutes there was only one team in it. Our refreshed frontline provided the energy we've been missing up top, Segecic in particular was outstanding. When Mohamed went off Swansea finally found the space we'd been denying them. He's become an essential part of our new found toughness. And as for Devlin, take a bow. Simply superb.

Brian: What a game and what a performance. Thoroughly deserved by a team that doesn't give up.

Simon: Best performance of this unbeaten run. The players deserved everything they got at the end of the game. Play up Pompey!

David: Another incredible Fratton feast of drama. Being a Pompey supporter, you've got to have a strong heart! PuP!!!

Rick: Pompey look like a proper all round football team. I was nervous about this game, believing a draw was the best to hope for. Terry Devlin for God.

Zach: Pompey were phenomenal, especially in the first half. While a draw may have been deserved on the balance of play, good tactics and determination got us the win. Despite a dodgy penalty decision which saw Swansea equalise, we got the goal which could be so important come the end of the season. Up there if not the best overall performance of the season, only dampened by an injury to Marezi. Fratton Park was rocking, as usual, from minute 1-90.

John: This was a fantastic fighting display by Pompey. Never let their heads go down after Swansea equalised and kept going to the end. Great strength from Waddingham in getting the third!

Greg: It is early days. Not quite a third of the way through the season. However, 14 points out of the last 18 points and one loss in 10, coupled with the play-offs expansion, who knows?

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There was a shortage of great Fratton Park nights last season - but the win against Swansea was everything Portsmouth fans want to see.

A wholehearted and committed performance with bodies being put on the line, overcoming one of the division's high flyers despite a late equaliser.

John Mousinho is getting every last drop out of this side. They continue to be extremely awkward and difficult opponents.

Terry Devlin's composure in front of goal is amazing.

He told me in the summer he wanted to add more goals and assists but doesn't every player?

To put in the hours to make it happen requires intelligence, as well as a brilliant work ethic.

A win on Saturday could put Pompey in the play-offs. A top eight finish isn't hugely realistic but fans are enjoying the ride this team is taking them on.

Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho spoke to BBC Radio Solent after the 3-1 win against Swansea City at Fratton Park.

Victory lifted Pompey to 10th in the Championship and level on points with West Ham in eighth before the Hammers play on Wednesday.

"A massive win and a really important night for us for a lot of reasons," Mousinho said.

"I thought we were excellent in the first half. I thought we were really diligent in the way we defended and broke forward a couple of times.

"Second half we started well and probably tired a bit. I was disappointed with the way we conceded the penalty.

"But to respond to the equaliser like we did was absolutely magnificent."

Listen to Mousinho's full post-match interview above or on BBC Sounds here.

Only Birmingham City (13) have taken more than Swansea City's 12 points away from home in the Championship as the Welshmen travel to Portsmouth on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

Pompey have taken 10 points from their past four home games after losing their first two matches of the season at Fratton Park.

• Portsmouth lost both league meetings against Swansea last season, having been unbeaten in 13 against them beforehand (W5 D8).

• Swansea won 2-1 at Fratton Park last season, but have never won back-to-back away league games against Portsmouth before.

• Portsmouth have won their past two home league games, last winning three in a row in February-March 2025.

• Swansea have lost just two of their past 10 away league games (W6 D2), though one of these was in their last such game at QPR (0-5).

• Eight of the 10 away goals Swansea have conceded in the Championship this season have come in the first half, with four of those coming in the opening 10 minutes of games.

John Mousinho says he will not put a timescale on taking Portsmouth back to the Premier League, on the day he became the club's longest-serving manager - by continuous length of tenure - since the late 1980s.

Mousinho has moved past Kenny Jackett's 1,382 days in charge. In fact, over the last 40 years, you have to go back to Alan Ball's first spell in charge - 1984-1989 - to find a warmer seat in the Fratton Park dugout.

Mousinho is 10th on the current list of longest-serving bosses in the top four tiers of English football - and, aged just 40 and still in his first managerial job, he is without question the youngest and least experienced of those 10.

But he guided Portsmouth to the League One title in his first full season in charge and has kept them in the Championship for two years.

"I don't know if it's a sort of reflection on where football has been over the past 40-odd years where managers come and go really quickly," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent when reflecting on the landmark.

"It still feels like I'm at the infancy of my managerial career, but hopefully we can continue in the same vein.

"If you look at where we are now, compared to where we were when I first took the job, and in particular when the club decided to go through that change of structure with the sporting director coming in, I think it's been a good progression over the past four years."

The words "continuous length of tenure" are relevant when discussing Mousinho's reign.

Jackett (211) and Jim Smith (200) both oversaw more matches than Mousinho's current 186, and both Ball and Harry Redknapp racked up more time and matches in charge over two different spells.

Mousinho has guided Pompey to 11th in the opening months of the 2026-27 season. So where might they be if he stays in the job for another 1,383 days?

"To answer that I would look back at what we've done over the past four years," he added.

"If you said to me at that stage, 'in four years' time, where do you need to be?', we'd have said we needed to be in the Championship at some stage, and I think we got there slightly quicker than we'd anticipated.

"So in four years' time, I'm not necessarily saying we need to be in the Premier League or challenging at the top of the Championship - that would be nice [and] I think eventually we have to do that, but I don't know what the timescale looks like."

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A point away at a side who were in the Premier League last season. Not a result Pompey were celebrating, which highlights the progress they continue to make.

This game showed the good points and weak spots of the team. They were fairly solid and defended pretty well, even though John Mousinho felt they gave away too many chances.

Going forward they wasted a number of promising positions and still need more quality in the final third.

Josh Murphy's return will help, he showed a couple of flashes of what he's capable of. A fit Murphy is a total game changer for Portsmouth.

Pompey could have nicked the match. Disallowing Marlon Pack's first half volley for a foul on the Burnley goalkeeper by Ryan Kavuma-McQueen was extremely harsh. Portsmouth have got the breaks in this recent good run, that was a moment of fortune going against them.

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Portsmouth boss John Mousinho spoke to BBC Radio Solent after their 0-0 draw with Burnley.

For a written selection of his quotes click here.

John Mousinho says Pompey need to be adaptable as they venture into the unknown against "incredibly dangerous" Burnley on Saturday.

The Clarets are third-bottom and without a home win since 18 October, 2025, but parted ways with head coach Nicky Hayen following Saturday's dismal 4-1 capitulation at Lincoln.

Michael Jackson was set to be in interim charge for the visit of Pompey - unbeaten in four games from which they have earned 10 points - but on Wednesday Swiss coach Fabio Celestini was appointed to the Turf Moor hotseat.

After the trip to Lancashire, Portsmouth host Swansea on Tuesday and Stoke on 7 November ahead of the two-week international break, and Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent: "These weeks in the Championship are very important - there are nine points to play for.

"It's really important we try to finish off this block of games with some positive results, and we have got to be fully focused at the weekend.

"We have to do our best to try and figure out how we think they are going to play - the players don't change, the style might a bit. We have to make sure we adapt on the day."

Mousinho said he was "really surprised" at the Clarets early-season struggles, adding: "I expected them to be right up there, as I think everyone did.

"They are still an incredibly dangerous side, particularly after changing the manager and freshening things up - you usually you get a reaction from the players and a different reaction from everyone at Turf Moor, so it's going to be an interesting day for us."

Mousinho said winger Josh Murphy and central defender Conor Shaughnessy could be involved at Turf Moor, depending how they recover from their return to full training.

Murphy has missed 10 games, while Shaughnessy has missed five, and Mousinho said: "I'm fairly confident Josh Murphy will be available. We thought there might be a chance last week. He hadn't recovered enough from training for us to put him on the bench against Millwall. The signs are ok.

"It's exactly the same with Conor Shaughnessy - we'll see as he settles down."

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A new era begins at Turf Moor as Portsmouth visit Burnley seeking to heap more woe on the Clarets on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Fabio Celestini has been appointed as Burnley boss in the wake of Nicky Hayen's departure following Saturday's abject 4-1 defeat at Lincoln which left the Clarets third-bottom with just one win in their opening 12 games and without a home win in more than 12 months.

Pompey have climbed into the top-half off the back of a run of 10 points from four games, culminating in the 2-1 win over Millwall last time out, and another victory here could see them climb into the top-six depending on other results.

• Burnley are unbeaten across their past three league games against Portsmouth (W2 D1), they haven't gone four unbeaten in this fixture before.

• Portsmouth have lost just one of their past eight away league games against Burnley (W4 D3), though that did come on their last visit to Turf Moor, a 2-1 defeat in September 2024.

• Burnley are winless in their past 21 home league games (D10 L11). Only Sheffield Wednesday (23 between 2025 and 2026) have ever had a longer run in English Football League history.

• Portsmouth have lost just one of their past eight league games (W4 D3), having lost three of their first four in the Championship this season.

• Burnley have conceded six goals from corners and nine goals from set piece situations in general in the Championship so far this season – both the highest totals of any side in the competition.

Image source, Getty Images

Since the south coast derby defeat to bitter rivals Southampton earlier this month, Portsmouth have put together an excellent string of results in the Championship.

Pompey have won three and drawn one of their four games in that time to climb from 19th up to 11th and within two points of the play-off spots.

"It's just amazing how all it takes is a few games for everything to turn around," BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator Andrew Moon told the Who Needs Mourinho? podcast.

"Have Pompey necessarily deserved 10 points from four games? Probably not that many but there has been a lot of good things.

"And if you do a lot of good things and get that little bit of fortune to go your way, things can turn around pretty quickly."

Portsmouth News football writer Jordan Cross joins Chris Wise and Andrew on the latest episode of Who Needs Mourinho? where they discuss what has been behind the recent turnaround and answer questions from supporters in Moon's Musings.

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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Portsmouth attacker Adrian Segecic believes there is "no reason" they cannot push for the Championship play-off positions this season.

John Mousinho's side have taken 10 points from their last four matches, lifting them from 19th to 11th in the table, just two points adrift of the top eight.

Pompey have beaten Sheffield United, Norwich and Millwall and drawn at Wolverhampton Wanderers, since their narrow 1-0 defeat away to rivals Southampton on 11 October.

"After the result (against Millwall) I think that we can definitely achieve where we want to be - play-offs and competing at the top of the table," Segecic told BBC Radio Solent.

"I feel like there's no reason that we shouldn't believe that we can and we have shown it now.

"We have to just keep performing and believing, I think belief is the biggest thing about us and with hard work I definitely feel like it can push us to the top."

So far this season, Segecic has scored three goals and contributed an assist in 13 appearances across all competitions and has played the entire game in 10 of them.

He is especially proud of the team's response after since their narrow south-coast derby loss at St Mary's.

"To bounce back and show what we've done the last four games is incredible," he added.

"Off the back of everyone's heads being so low amongst the fans and in Portsmouth It just shows the kind of team that we are.

"Having that little bit of arrogance about us and hard work if we continue that then we'll definitely be a top side."