Former Fratton favourite delivers exciting Portsmouth survival admission after 'incredible' turnaround
Pompey secured a 1-0 win against Leicester City on Saturday to move seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Guy Whittingham has lauded Pompey’s incredible end-of-season turnaround to all-but confirm their Championship status for another campaign.
Ibane Bowat’s 63rd-minute goal proved to be the difference at PO4 in a scrappy game with both sides fighting for their lives.
However, John Mousinho’s troops were able to hold onto the maximum points, with that triumph increasing their advantage over the bottom three to seven points with three matches remaining.
The Blues are now also unbeaten in all of their previous five matches since their 6-1 thrashing at the hands of QPR before the international break.
But just four weeks later, Mousinho’s men could now seal their Championship status on Tuesday evening, depending on the result against already-promoted Coventry City and 22nd-placed Oxford United’s showdown against Wrexham.
Former Fratton favourite lauds ‘incredible’ turnaround
Indeed, Pompey’s impressive turn in fortunes since the debacle at Loftus Road has been praised by Whittingham, who did not see this outstanding run of form coming before the international break.
And although the Blues haven’t quite secured their safety, the former Fratton favourite is adamant Mousinho’s troops are in a ‘great position’ heading into the final three matches of the campaign.
Speaking on BBC Radio Solent following Saturday’s triumph over the Foxes, he said: ‘It’s just incredible the way it’s happened. That’s why we love the sport so much.
‘We know the Championship can be like this, anyone can beat anyone at any time. Did we see that coming? Certainly not.
‘Not those first two victories. Obviously we felt at the time (after QPR), Leicester at home a good one to win, Stoke away maybe get a point and then Birmingham at home would we have had to do it there, let alone Coventry.
‘I thought it was going to be tight - and it still might be - but we’ve got ourselves in a great position.’
Pompey’s Championship survival battle
Following three-successive victories, Pompey now find themselves sitting 18th in the Championship heading into the final three matches of a pulsating campaign.
The Blues face Coventry City, who could also secure the title in midweek, before a trip to Stoke City next Saturday and Birmingham City on the final day of the season.
Mousinho’s men now sit seven points clear of 22nd-placed Oxford United, who face Wrexham, Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall in their run-in.
Pompey also moved above Charlton Athletic following their 1-1 draw with the Owls on Saturday, while West Brom and Blackburn Rovers also moved clear of the bottom three after positive results.
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