Sky Sports pundit and huge ex-Portsmouth favourite shares worrying survival verdict and issues shock John Mousinho call

Paul Merson has aired his concerns over Pompey as the threat of Championship relegation looms.

And the huge ex-Fratton favourite has given his take on John Mousinho, having been left surprised the head could was not sacked after their 6-1 thrashing by QPR before the international break.

The Championship survival fight is intensifying, with just a month left in the season for the the Blues to avoid a first return to League One since 2024.

One point currently separates Merson’s former side and the bottom three, with Pompey earning a crucial 1-1 draw against Norwich City at Carrow Road on Good Friday.

Mousinho’s troops are, though, without a win in any of their previous seven league matches, with the likes of Oxford United, West Brom and Blackburn Rovers picking up significant results in recent weeks.

During that time, the Blues were dismantled by QPR prior to the international break, with fans turning on the players, staff and owners after a dismal afternoon at Loftus Road.

Huge Pompey favourite & Sky Sports pundit shares survival verdict

Although Merson is a huge fan of Mousinho’s outstanding work throughout his three-and-a-half-year tenure on the south coast, the ex-midfielder, who netted 12 goals in 48 outings for Pompey during the 2002-03 Division One title-winning campaign, felt the head coach was lucky to survive the axe after the hammering in west London.

And the former Fratton favourite, now turned pundit, has shared his worry over Blues’ run-in as they vie to maintain their Championship status in the remaining weeks.

‘Yeah I am now’ he told Sky Sports News after being asked if he was worried about Mousinho’s side this term.

‘They won back-to-back games not long ago and I thought that’s it they’re safe for another season.

‘Just before that (run of six games without a win before the international break) they won back-to-back, after that it’s been horrible.

‘I was fortunate enough to play there, it’s such a great place and at home such an advantage - the atmosphere is electric. But, they can’t win at home and that’s the problem.

‘I like the manager, but I thought he’d done well to keep his job. I don’t mean that in a horrible way but they’d just been beaten 6-1 by QPR.

‘You looked at West Brom, they changed their manager and they’ve kicked on. I hope they get it right.

‘The game they’ve got to look at is on Monday against Oxford United.’

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Pompey’s Championship run-in

Following their spirited display against Norwich City on Good Friday, Pompey turn their attentions to Monday’s huge showdown with relegation rivals Oxford United.

The Blues sit just one point above the U’s in the standings, with the Fratton Park contest a must win for their side if they want to avoid the drop this term.

Mousinho’s troops then face Middlesbrough (A), Ipswich Town (H), Leicester City (H), Coventry City (A) and Stoke City (A) before welcoming Birmingham City to the south coast for a potentially vital final day clash.

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