'Pompey are finding a way under Mousinho'
'Pompey are finding a way under Mousinho'
Tom Chappell - FournilwrittenalloveritSun, October 25, 2026 at 1:19 PM UTC
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Pompey's record in the pouring rain at Fratton Park is remarkably positive. Saturday was another delightfully soggy afternoon at PO4.
Only Middlesbrough have more points than Pompey from their past five games, and we're now unbeaten at home since the opening weekend after the 2-1 win over Millwall.
There were no screamers, very little quality football on display, and it's unlikely to be a match talked about for a long time. Having said that, what matters is the outcome - a significant and very welcome three points.
Pompey's performance level during this solid run of form has not been sparkling, and we haven't dazzled with attractive football. What we have done is something that has been hard to come by for us in recent seasons, particularly during our return to the second tier, which is to find a way to win a game when we haven't played brilliantly.
Given the inclement conditions, there was an element of fortune about Pompey's equaliser, and perhaps the same can be said about the winner. On 70 minutes it didn't really feel like a game that either side deserved to win.
But you make your own luck, and pushing the right buttons and being in the right areas more often than not means you might just get something.
Nico Schmid's telegraphed pass straight into the path of Jenson Metcalfe was disastrous. The Millwall midfielder will probably never score an easier goal in his career.
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Pompey's response was immediate and effective as Adrian Segecic's dangerous ball was inadvertently directed home by Millwall.
The visitors adapted better to the conditions though, I thought, and edged it for large parts of the second half, but Pompey's substitutions were well timed and eventually won us the day.
Jojo Dia put his body (and face) in front of anything asked of him, I was really pleased with the performances of both our full-backs.
Iyad Mohamed is settling nicely and the winner was a fabulous moment for Tommy Waddingham. Plagued with injury during his time at the club so far, hopefully this is the start of better things to come.
Finally, given the clocks have gone back this weekend, a moment of reflection.
Rewind to the fallout from the south-coast derby defeat, and a vociferous minority were calling for John Mousinho's sacking.
Less than two weeks later, a packed 20,000 crowd are singing 'Mousinho is our king'. It goes to show just how football can change incredibly quickly.
Pompey aren't blowing sides away, and despite this run of form they certainly haven't cracked it yet. But, in Mousinho, we believe.
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