McIntyre back at Pompey after Bradford loan cut shortpublished at 11:19 GMT 14 January
11:19 GMT 14 January
Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,
Tom McIntyre made 11 appearances during his loan spell at Bradford City
Portsmouth defender Tom McIntyre has returned from his loan spell at Bradford City after a four-month spell at Valley Parade.
The centre-back moved to Valley Parade in September on a season-long agreement and made 11 appearances across all competitions for the Bantams who lie third in League One.
This was McIntyre's second loan spell during his time at Pompey, also spending time at Charlton last season where he played 10 times.
The 27-year-old joined the Blues in 2024 from Reading where he came through their academy and made over 100 appearances for the first team.
The good, the bad and the set-piecespublished at 14:58 GMT 12 January
14:58 GMT 12 January
Media caption,
Who Needs Mourinho? Cornered (again)
"I thought the atmosphere was brilliant, the intensity was really good. It's not a surprise they couldn't quite play at that intensity for 90 minutes but if they could just have held that 1-0 lead for a bit longer they might have got Arsenal a bit concerned and under pressure.
"Everyone there will have been encouraged by the performance, and it was a great moment for Colby Bishop.
"It was a tactically brave Portsmouth performance but it absolutely worked. They got Arsenal rattled."
BBC Radio Solent's Chris Wise and Andy Moon discuss the good, the bad and the set-pieces as Pompey bowed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday, plus take a look at the Blues' lengthy injury list and answer your questions in Moon's Musings.
It was tight apart from the set-pieces - Mousinhopublished at 12:16 GMT 12 January
12:16 GMT 12 January
Media caption,
John Mousinho: 'Set-pieces decided a close game'
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has ruled set-pieces as the deciding factor as his side fall to a 4-1 loss to Premier League leaders Arsenal in the FA Cup.
Gabriel Martinelli helped himself to two near post headers as he claimed a hat-trick taking the number of goals Pompey have conceded from corners and free-kicks this season to 18, in all competitions.
"You've got to take the last little spell out of the game with 10 men and also towards the end getting a bit tired - but I thought we were right at it," Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.
"I thought we were well in the game, I thought for parts we were the better side.
"The difference in the game was the set-pieces.
"The delivery [of set-pieces from Arsenal] is excellent and the way they attack the ball with aggression is brilliant, but we just didn't match that. We didn't match the level of intensity and aggression that was shown.
"It was pretty tight apart from the set-pieces. They are part of the game so we've got to be better at them."
Set-piece de resistance undid Pompeypublished at 09:23 GMT 12 January
09:23 GMT 12 January
Andrew Moon BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator
Image source, Shutterstock
While John Mousinho has usually rested players for cup matches, it was sensible going close to full strength for Arsenal.
What he got was a good performance except in one area.
Set-pieces were always going to be a potential issue. Conceding from three of the first four corners they faced is extremely disappointing, even noting how good Arsenal are from dead balls.
This undid a lot of other good work from Pompey. They pressed and hassled Arsenal with real intensity and aggression early on and unsettled them.
Colby Bishop's goal was a great moment for him and it is always a joy to be at Fratton Park when it's that loud.
Arsenal would probably have found a way to win without the set-piece goals but it could have been a fascinating spectacle if they had not been handed a 'get out of jail free' card.
Follow Sunday's FA Cup ties livepublished at 10:51 GMT 11 January
10:51 GMT 11 January
There are eight third-round ties in the FA Cup on Sunday - as Premier League and Championship teams enter the competition - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Derby County v Leeds United" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Portsmouth v Arsenal", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Portsmouth v Arsenalpublished at 17:59 GMT 10 January
17:59 GMT 10 January
Arsenal will definitely make changes here, but it won't make any difference.
Portsmouth are in trouble at the bottom of the Championship and they look short of what is required there, let alone against the Premier League leaders - or even their reserves.
Pompey injury crisis has reached epic proportionspublished at 09:32 GMT 9 January
09:32 GMT 9 January
Andrew Moon BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator
Image source, Getty Images
On the surface Portsmouth aren't in a bad position. Their key objective this season is to stay in the Championship. They are currently a point above the bottom three with at least one game in hand on the sides around them.
However, a quick look under the bonnet and things are a little more concerning. The injury crisis has reached epic proportions and there are key absentees.
On Thursday it was confirmed Mark Kosznovszky will miss the rest of the season and some of the next. Hayden Matthews and Josh Knight are both set for extended spells on the sidelines. More bodies into a busy treatment room.
Lang only returned recently from a hamstring injury and scored a brilliant goal against Derby County. Murphy has been carrying an injury most of the season but has still produced moments of real quality.
The combination of those two injuries, Colby Bishop's injury and lack of form and Conor Chaplin's surprising lack of impact since joining leave Portsmouth lacking firepower.
The owners have stuck to their goals of trying to be close to breaking even on the football side of the business while investing in the club's infrastructure. They've achieved a fair amount with it.
For that model to remain successful and for Pompey to stay in the Championship is going to require a number of rabbits to be pulled from the hat in this transfer window.
Sporting director Richard Hughes has made a number of decent signings in his time and John Mousinho remains an excellent manager, but this is asking a lot.
We've reached the point where crazy spending by other clubs and a horrendous injury list mean maintaining the current spending model and Championship status may not be possible.
What's more important - fitness or transfers?published at 17:48 GMT 7 January
17:48 GMT 7 January
Media caption,
Listen to the latest episode of Who Needs Mourinho?
Portsmouth were without three of their first-choice attacking players in the 5-0 defeat at Bristol City as Josh Murphy, Callum Lang and Colby Bishop were injured.
Conor Chaplin also only came on as a 62nd-minute substitute with the score already at 4-0.
With that in mind, BBC Radio Solent's Chris Wise and Andy Moon have been discussing the importance of players getting fit again, as well as the need for reinforcements in the transfer window.
"We had a question - Bishop, Murphy, Lang, Chaplin, if they're fit and firing, are they a front four to keep Pompey in the Championship? I think we both said yes, but that's a massive caveat," Moon said on the Who Needs Mourinho? podcast.
"At Derby, the goal Pompey scored was a really, really good goal from Callum Lang set up by Murphy. You take out Bishop, Murphy, Lang, all injured, Chaplin didn't start [in the 5-0 defeat at Bristol City].
"You've lost that entire front four and what you've got in replacement is a young front four with a bit of talent but very raw.
"Ultimately you've got a front four that can't impact games in the Championship, can't hold the ball high up the pitch and can't make a difference. That is the worry.
"I said after that game, forget January to some extent. We know the window is important but if Pompey can't get their best players fit and out there, you're going to need the greatest January ever to keep the team up.
"Because they can't cope without the likes of Murphy and Lang."
Gossip: Pompey eye Senegal striker Sowpublished at 10:45 GMT 7 January
10:45 GMT 7 January
Portsmouth are settle to battle Danish side Brondby for the signing of £2.6m-rated Senegal striker Ousmane Sow, 25, who has scored nine goals this season for Polish side Gornik Zabrze. (Mekzyki.pl - in Polish, external)
Unacceptable showing from Pompey but no surprisespublished at 17:25 GMT 2 January
17:25 GMT 2 January
Tom Chappell Fan writer
Image source, Shutterstock
Away day embarrassments were all too familiar last season, and a theme is beginning to develop this time round.
In the space of 72 hours, the collective euphoria I wrote about was wholly displaced by a comical disaster on the road. The good ship Pompey was sent into battle with a broken rudder and no ammunition.
Although big-name absentees currently make for very slim pickings for John Mousinho, that in absolutely no way excuses the unacceptable showing at Ashton Gate.
Huge goalkeeping errors, completely mindless passing and decision-making, alongside an inability to create anything meaningful at all resulted in a completely abominable showing.
And arguably, the worst thing is the result won't have taken many Pompey fans by surprise.
I remember writing, bizarrely after the reverse fixture, that without a big January transfer window, Pompey probably won't get out of this. This remains the case.
Now is the time to invest properly in our squad otherwise it's too late. Yesterday's team sheet was crying out for huge backing like you wouldn't believe.
Image source, Rex Features
