How a magic moment inspired Portsmouth's remarkable survival: Neil Allen's verdict on Blues' season

In fairness, it wasn’t the fault of the Pompey Supporters’ Trust for holding their AGM just 24 hours following a gut-wrenching - and absolutely undeserved - late defeat at Plymouth.

The November Victory Lounge event had actually been fixed more than seven weeks earlier, offering members a date in their diaries to put questions to a strong panel consisting of John Mousinho, Rich Hughes and Andy Cullen.

Maintaining tradition, there would also be a personal address from chairman Michael Eisner, via an exclusive pre-recorded video message, filmed from his California home.

Nonetheless, with Pompey bottom of the Championship and seven points adrift of safety following the previous night’s Home Park loss, it would subsequently prove to be a difficult evening for those seated at the top table.

It wasn’t a great start either. Eisner’s ill-timed quip about the event being hosted in the ‘Non-Victory Suite’ understandably fell flat, while Eric Eisner’s claim about ‘relying on loan players’ in the forthcoming January transfer window was similarly not appreciated.

At least Michael Eisner demonstrated admirable conviction over Pompey avoiding an instant return to the Championship, by declaring: ‘Let me just say at the start, we are not going to be relegated. Period’.

Social media, ignited by postings from some present at the members-only meeting, was soon rampant with stinging criticism directed at the Blues’ owners.

Then it was the turn of those occupying the front line, with a particularly tetchy moment involving an increasingly agitated supporter quizzing Hughes on the quality of his recruitment and the decision to release Sean Raggett and Joe Rafferty.

It was an uncomfortable exchange which had to be cut short, completely out of character for such meetings, yet reflected the anger and frustration bubbling away among the Fratton faith. Even the cheery optimists were gloomy over the chances of avoiding relegation.

With a season undeniably unravelling, how Pompey required a catalyst to inspire, particularly with supporters growing increasingly restless and a January transfer window still an agonising two months in the distance.

Enter Colby Bishop. Just three days later.

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Having undergone open-heart surgery three months earlier, the popular striker’s return hadn’t even been mooted. Yet there he was, named among the substitutes for the visit of Preston North End to Fratton Park the following Saturday.

Within 11 minutes of coming off the bench, the striker dispatched a penalty in a 3-1 success to create a truly iconic Pompey moment now lodged in Fratton folklore. It wasn’t just the Bishop family who were emotional that evening.

The victory presented Mousinho’s men with only their second win in their opening 16 matches of the season - and, from that point, the talisman weaved his magic.

From the moment of Bishop’s return until the end of the campaign, only eight clubs amassed more points than Pompey’s impressive haul of 45 from the subsequent 32 fixtures.

Indeed, Millwall, Middlesbrough and West Brom may have considered themselves genuine play-off challengers during that period, yet none collected as many points as a Blues side rejuvenated by that star forward’s shock re-emergence.

Admittedly, there were other contributing factors also behind Pompey’s mid-season renaissance, this was no one-man show. Nor would Bishop want it to be regarded that way.

There was the different playing style unveiled at Hull at the start of November, with Matt Ritchie brought back into the side to spearhead a high-pressing, more direct approach.

At that point, the veteran had been restricted to just one Blues start during his second spell at Fratton Park, yet his particular skillset, leadership talents and huge heart would be pivotal to the success of that playing change.

The quiet man’s Portsmouth evolution

It’s also worth noting Connor Ogilvie’s evolution from a left-back struggling to come to terms with the new level - to somebody firmly establishing himself a Championship-calibre performer.

As Pompey grew into the season, so did their longest-serving player, becoming the bedrock of their successful survival battle and arguably the most consistent performer. No frills, no fuss - just rock-solid dependability.

The January transfer window was also crucial, with the Blues temporarily switching focus to short-term recruitment in order to preserve their Championship status, with needs must.

Rob Atkinson was a revelation, Isaac Hayden flourished after an average start, while Adil Aouchiche also had his moments, namely Norwich, where unluckily he also fractured his hand to prematurely end his season.

Not forgetting the classy Josh Murphy’s irresistable impact, of course. A damaged ankle collected at Charlton in the final summer friendly ruled him out of the Blues’ opening five matches, an absence which also impacted on his early performances when returning to the side.

Nonetheless, he went on to dominate the Player of the Season awards, winning 10 in total, while also earned the respect of his peers by being honoured with the Players’ Player of the Season.

With seven goals and 14 assists, plus the ability to trouble even the Championship’s best defences, the 30-year-old enjoyed an outstanding maiden season at Fratton Park.

It can certainly be argued that Murphy is Pompey’s finest winger since leaving the Premier League, particularly when you consider the divisions the club have occupied since those heady days.

Finally, there’s Mousinho himself. The mastermind behind a remarkable 16th-placed finish in the Blues’ first season of Championship football for 12 years. What a future he has in management.

Pompey took four points off Leeds and Middlesbrough, did the double over QPR and, of the top seven, only Sunderland won at Fortress Fratton.

So many contributing factors, but none as influential as Colby Bishop’s return at a time when the natives were growing restless and Pompey had been cut adrift at the foot of the Championship to finish as their 11-goal top scorer.

Impeccable timing.

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