Thus far, it’s been a season to remember for John Mousinho and Portsmouth.
21 wins, 10 draws and just four losses leave the Blues well-placed to end their 12-season exodus from the second tier.
The 2023/24 campaign feels different. There’s a relentlessness about Mousinho‘s side, and four defeats all season are a testament to that.
When they’re at their best, they’re unplayable. When they struggle to create goalscoring opportunities, they manage to grind out draws; the most recent shutout at Charlton is an excellent example.
Per Fotmob, Pompey have conceded 0.9 goals per 90 minutes, which is the best in the third tier.
Furthermore, the Blues have 16 clean sheets, which is also the best in the division.
The impressive defensive work can be traced back to when Mousinho took charge back in January 2023.
Pompey recorded 17 clean sheets during the 2022/23 season; 10 occurred after Mousinho took the reins at Fratton Park.
The former Oxford United defender laid the foundations last season and Pompey are reaping the rewards.
Back in September, the Pompey boss highlighted how his side’s attacking play would develop after laying solid foundations.
“I see a team which is very, very solid defensively off the ball and then, on the ball, we want to be expansive, to play good football, to move it quickly and go forward – but we’re letting ourselves down in key moments,” Mousinho told The News.
“We are not quite sharp enough in the way we move the ball when we get to their half, we take too many touches, we don’t get enough bodies into the box. I don’t think any of that is a consequence of being solid defensively.”
Portsmouth top away clean sheet table
Remarkably, away from Fratton Park, no side has kept more clean sheets in the last two years (courtesy of Playmakerstats).
Pompey’s 20 shutouts puts them three ahead of Ipswich Town and four ahead of Arsenal.
It’s no surprise to see Mousinho’s side top of the away table in League One. 36 points have been amassed away from Fratton Park, and with some tough fixtures to come, this could be a good sign.
Blackpool, Peterborough and Bolton Wanderers will all host the Blues between now and the end of the season.
If Pompey can add one or two more clean sheets to their already impressive tally, Championship football will almost certainly return to Fratton Park.