‘It's clear to see’: EFL experts deliver no-nonsense Portsmouth relegation verdict as survival fight intensifies

It’s clear to see Pompey are playing some of their best football of the season so far.

That’s the resounding verdict of Ali Maxwell from the respected Not The Top 20 podcast, who is adamant the Blues will be save come the end of the campaign.

John Mousinho’s men suffered back-to-back losses on Saturday afternoon, with Andre Brooks’ 90th-minute winner stealing the points for Sheffield United.

The result dropped Pompey to just a place above the relegation zone and now sit just one point above 22nd-placed Leicester City, who have played two games more.

Performances on the pitch have been improving in recent weeks, with the Blues dominating proceedings in large parts of both of their defeats to Preston North End and the Blades.

Despite their frustrations in front of goal, Maxwell is spirited by their upturn in displays - and is adamant Mousinho’s troops have enough to beat the drop.

Positive Pompey verdict despite successive defeats

Speaking on their latest episode, he said: ‘What I saw watching this breathless, full-blooded game between Pompey and Sheffield United, was that Portsmouth were really, really sharp in basically all areas except the finish and completely dominated the first half.

‘But Sheff United, to their credit, getting back in the dressing room, sorting something out at halftime and got back into the game.

‘Callum O'Hare, who was heavily involved in their winning goal, which came right at the end, combined with Tyrese Campbell, who got down the left side of the box and smashed it across. The keeper couldn't quite gather it and Brooks tapped in at the back post to win it for Shefford United.

‘We should shout out Michael Cooper in goal for Blades, who's not had as good a season as he did last season. Some big saves in this game, keeping a clean sheet, especially a really strong hand low at his near post late on to deny Portsmouth late doors.

‘But I do think it's actually pretty relevant to talk about performances as well as results when it comes to Portsmouth at the moment because they are playing really well.

‘It's clear to see it's visible both on the pitch and in the numbers, basically. And it might not feel like it matters much when the relegation zone is there and you're a bit scared of it.

‘But I still think it is a massive positive to be playing your best football of the season at this stage of the season and overall it does make me more confident for Pompey than I was when we did our mid-season predictions, obviously, a month or so ago.

Colby Bishop’s concerning goalscoring run

Colby Bishop’s form in front of goal has been questioned throughout the season, having netted just one league goal to date.

Despite having a strike ruled out against Sheffield United, the powerful frontman has had brilliant opportunities to put his barren run to bed.

And George Elek - Maxwell’s co-host on NTT20 - believes his disappointing goal return could be the difference between survival and relegation.

He added: ‘Just on Pompey’s missed chances. Colby Bishop missed a fair few again and he now, as per Opta, his one goal has come from 6.35 expected goals a season. So he's 5.35 behind as expected.

‘His expected goals on target is 4.44, suggesting that again keepers are having good games against him.

‘To put that in context to the rest of the league, Joe Gelhart has 10 goals a season from 6.86 xG, so marginally more than Coby Bishop. Carlton Morris's tangles come from 6.26, so less than Colby's.

‘He's never been the most clinical finisher anyway. But this is at the moment it's the difference between Pompey being just about okay to probably being fine.’

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