Portsmouth boss’ message to Fratton Faithful as anger boils over after Bristol City humbling
Pompey fans turned to gallows humour after the Bristol City thrashing, before some anger was aired following the full-time whistle. John Mousinho gives his response, as attention now turns to Sunday’s meeting with Ipswich Town.
John Mousinho insisted he’s got no issue with the frustration aired by Pompey supporters in the wake of his side’s annihilation at Bristol City.
And the Blues boss aired his belief the Fratton Faithful will stand squarely behind their creaking squad, as they face a daunting home challenge against promotion-chasing Ipswich Town on Sunday.
Mousinho on Pompey fan frustration: ‘I’ve got no issue with it’
It proved a bleak opening to 2026 at Ashton Gate on New Year’s Day, with hapless Pompey battered 5-0 as they capitulated in shocking fashion against Gerhard Struber’s side.
The 2,464 travelling fans stayed with their side and made themselves heard throughout the afternoon, despite what they were witnessing.
Rather than turn against their team, the Pompey fans resorted to humour with ironic cheers when their side mustered some fleeting threat on Bristol City’s goal.
There was also chants of ‘we never win at Ashton Gate’, with it now 35 years since a league success at the Robins home - the other victory there coming in the FA Cup in 2009.
Pompey fans did make their feelings known after the full-time whistle, however, with some angry gestures from the away end mixed in with applause as players and staff acknowledged the supporters’ backing.
Mousinho made it abundantly clear he had no issue with such a reaction, with his belief it was understandable in the circumstances.
The Blues head coach also has a conviction there’s an understanding of where things stand for a Pompey squad assembled on one of the lowest playing budgets in the Championship - one which is now decimated with injury.
That is clear to see with Pompey having 10 players sidelined with injury and loanee Conor Chaplin missing the game against his parent club.
Despite that, Mousinho is confident Fratton Park will be fully behind their team when the action gets underway at 3pm on Sunday.
Mousinho said: ‘I’ve got no issue with it (the supporters’ frustration), the fans are fine.
‘It was a disappointing away day for them, I just hope there’s some understanding around where we are at the moment.
Mousinho on Fratton Faithful: ‘There’s a real level of understanding’
‘That’s particularly with the availability, it got to the stage where the four games in 10 days had been tough for us.
‘It’s not an excuse, but hopefully they can see off the back of the four unbeaten games and a couple of wins we’re trying to do things the right way.
‘We’ve been here before with this group.
‘We’ve done this a couple of times before, and one of the most chastening ones was this time last year at Ashton Gate, when we lost 3-0.
‘There’s a real level of understanding, but the fans at some point want to just have a decent time because it was New Year’s Day, they’ve paid their money and travelled.
‘I’ve got no issue with it, and, by the time we return to Fratton Park, I don’t think it will be an issue.’