Opinion: Portsmouth must make themselves at home in rival territory if they are to take up residence in Championship

Pompey’s failing at Fleetwood has brought a damning statistic further to the fore that will make all Blues fans wince.
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During a season that has seen Fortress Fratton make a welcome return, it’s the complete opposite away from the safety of home comforts.

Indeed, Kenny Jackett’s side look more like road kill than road warriors, at this rate.

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The 1-0 loss at Highbury was Pompey’s eighth in 16 League One outings to date – and their second defeat in successive trips up the A34 to a promotion rival.

Out of the current top six, only Peterborough have lost the same amount of away games.

In fact, that statistic unfortunately still still rings true when the teams currently occupying the top half of the table are taken into consideration.

Hardly something we all want to hear when hopes have been growing of promotion in recent weeks.

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Yet there’s no getting away from it, particularly when tough away assignments at Peterborough (March 7), Ipswich (March 21), Oxford (March 28), and Rotherham (April10) have still to be negotiated before the season’s end.

Pompey head into battle against Fleetwood at Highbury.  Picture: Daniel ChestertonPompey head into battle against Fleetwood at Highbury.  Picture: Daniel Chesterton
Pompey head into battle against Fleetwood at Highbury. Picture: Daniel Chesterton

All teams vying with the Blues for three promotion spots to the Championship.

And all hell bent on ensuring they exploit Pompey’s apparent soft centre on the road – just like the others who find themselves in and around the hunt for League One glory this season.

Sunderland, Wycombe, Coventry and now Fleetwood have welcomed the Blues to their domains before sending them packing with their tails between their legs.

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That’s enough ammunition in itself to suggest that perhaps this is a Pompey side not yet ready to end their three-year stay at this level.

Anything resembling that in the above-mentioned away games to come will surely trigger those fears for real.

I understand where they are coming from.

Let’s not forget that at Tranmere earlier this month Pompey were celebrating a record-breaking ninth successive win in all competitions since their introduction to league football in 1920.

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They’ve also negotiated their way to another EFL Trophy final at Wembley, there’s a mouthwatering FA Cup fifth-round tie against Arsenal to look forward to in a week’s time – and yes, Fratton Park form has produced an eye-catching unbeaten run that includes 10 wins and five draws from 15 league games played.

There’s clearly enough ability and quality in this Blues side to suggest Jackett & Co are more than capable of a welcome return to the Championshp.

But until there’s evidence that Pompey can go head-to-head with their promotion rivals on the road and make themselves at home on their turf, then League One will surely remain their residence for yet another year.

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