Portsmouth Q&A with Jordan Cross: Mousinho future, Eisner spending, owner silence and why no Fratton undersoil heating
Our latest Pompey Q&A lands this afternoon with a John Mousinho overview amid Bristol City’s interest. Questions over the Eisner’s spending this summer, the owner’s continuing silence and why undersoil heating isn’t being installed this summer at Fratton Park amid £1.5m pitch improvements are also covered.
Is the manager leaving? Kay Horton
Kay coming in and very succinctly asking the big question on the lips of every Pompey fan at present.
It’s a situation I provided an overview of last night - so check out that story HERE - but, again, here’s a brief overview/update of how things stand.
We are aware Bristol City have shown an interest in John Mousinho, as they look to make their next managerial appointment.
We are also aware, at this juncture, that's not manifested into an official approach for his services. That was confirmed by chief executive Andy Cullen yesterday - and remains correct as this story publishes.
Mousinho last spoke to the press after the Birmingham City draw before having a few days away, no doubt to assess what lay ahead for him three-and-a-half years into his Fratton stay.
In his time speaking to the press, the Pompey boss has been remarkably honest and up front about the situation, with some of his statements even amounting to a tacit admission over Bristol City interest.
In terms of what’s happened since, we know Michael Skubala’s release clause at Lincoln City was activated last week, but that interest did not progress. Lincoln appear confident their man is staying put.
So into this week and it’s been pretty much business as usual at the club’s training ground, with Mousinho in meetings and planning ahead for the summer and next season.
Does that mean there isn’t maneuvering behind the scenes? Of course not.
Bristol City reportedly have a shortlist of four names - and the Pompey boss is clearly one of them. The likes of Steven Gerrard, Steve Cooper and Russell Martin are others mooted for the Ashton Gate post.
So it now still be a case of waiting to see where and when Bristol City make their move. We’ll be continuing to stay right across developments.
We totally need top players to compete. Eisner's will you invest? Karl Hodgkins
Any chance of not going into the season like a kid with 20p walking into Poundland? Colin Turner
This is the other significant thread which has dominated the season’s finale and, of course, factors into what’s happening with Mousinho.
The Pompey boss could scarcely have been more front-footed about the need for clarity over the direction headed by the club on and off the pitch, ahead of the summit talks between the Eisners and key decision-makers at PO4.
Mousinho was at pains to highlight he was keen to focus on developments as a club and its infrastructure across the board.
The 40-year-old came away from those discussions ‘feeling positive’ about the direction headed and the club's ability to push for Championship progress.
Mousinho made it clear those talks didn’t stretch to playing budget figures, though there was an expectation of more details arriving on that front off the back of those meetings.
With it known Pompey’s budget was in the bottom couple of places in the Championship pecking order this season, things clearly need to change from the conditions afforded for perennial struggle.
The question is: To what extent does that happen?
As Mousinho stated to The News last month: ‘We can’t say all a sudden we are going to spend £40m this summer, it’s just not going to happen. But can we up those £1m-£1.5m transfer fees?’
Ultimately, we don’t yet know the answer to that question yet. It’s also hard to state definitively Mousinho going to Bristol City equates to a lack of significant Pompey budget increase - given the vast difference between the two club’s wage bills and a suggestion Steve Lansdown is preparing to spend big at Ashton Gate.
Regardless of what happens to Mousinho moving forward, the summer window will tell the truth over where things stand for the Pompey owner’s ambitions.
Is it a requirement of the Premier League for all clubs to have undersoil heating? If so, will the new pitch currently being installed need to be taken up again? Why not install now? Andrew Perkinson
Hi Andrew, yes it is a requirement for clubs to have undersoil heating in the Premier League.
Although undersoil heating is not being installed amid the current £1.5m work taking place, my understanding is everything will be put in place in terms of the pitch work to allow it to be added at a later date.
Without getting too technical, the pitch will be ‘future proofed’ and the current work will be undertaken in a way which would mean it’s not a particularly massive project to lift the pitch carpet out and install the undersoil heating element. That work is taking place now.
Yes there was the Ipswich Town hoohah this season over January’s game being frozen off, but the last match before that to fall to a similar fate was the Hull City game in February 2012. That doesn’t suggest there’s a massively pressing need for undersoil heating.
The additional expense around undersoil heating will cost around another £700,000, with the mechanical plant which powers the system a consideration.
We can also use this question to nip another rumour in the bud that it’s the Callum Lang sale which is funding the work. This is a ring-fenced capital expenditure project, so Lang’s exit has no bearing on the work.
What is the point of saying you will be transparent as owners but don't speak to local journalists? Rik May
We’ll just wrap up with this one from Rik.
Speaking to the club’s owners is something The News continue to push for - with the question posed amid Eric Eisner’s recent visit.
We were once again knocked back on that front, though there was a suggestion Eric may speak on his next visit. We’ll wait to see what happens there.
Depending on what happens in the weeks ahead, hearing from the Eisner family does feel more pressing given the current uncertainty around John Mousinho and questions on the club’s direction.
It’s now been over two years since that’s happened - and a lot has changed since promotion to the Championship.
It’s worth underlining chief executive Andy Cullen continues to make himself available for interviews and was on the other end of a phone yesterday to update over the Mousinho situation.
But, yes Rik, clarity from the top is something that is needed - and supporters deserve.