Portsmouth chief sounds 'critical' rallying cry ahead of biggest game of the season against Oxford United at Fratton Park
Pompey welcome relegation rivals Oxford United to Fratton Park today for what is being described as the Blues’ biggest game of the season
Andy Cullen has called for club unity ahead of Pompey’s biggest game of the season against Oxford United.
The Blues chief executive believes a collect show of force for the hugely-important match against the U’s and the campaign’s remaining fixtures is critical as John Mousinho’s side continue their battle against Championship survival.
Cullen also added backing from the stands will make a huge difference to the players’ confidence as they too feel the pressure of keeping Pompey in the second tier.
Pompey v Oxford: game of high stakes
Pompey welcome Matt Bloomfield’s Oxford to Fratton Park today (12.30pm kick-off) knowing the result could have a massive bearing on each side’s hopes of staying in the Championship.
Only one point separates the Blues in 21st (41 points) and the U’s in 23rd (40), with third-from-bottom Leicester sandwiched between the pair (also 40 points).
Victory will hand Mousinho’ s men some welcome breathing space, if results elsewhere also go their way, with six games remaining. Anything less will simply add more pressure to an already concerning situation.
Those concerns manifested into Pompey fans turning on the head coach, players and owners at full-time at Loftus Road immediately before the international break, with the travelling Fratton faithful angered by what they witnessed during the 6-1 defeat.
Boos have also been heard at PO4 in recent weeks, too, with the Blues losing to Sheffield United, Hull, Swansea and Derby since their last home win against West Brom on January 31.
On Good Friday, those tense moments were avoided as Pompey snatched a much-needed point on the road at Norwich’s Carrow Road. That was their first game back since the QPR debacle.
Now, as Mousinho & Co play at Fratton Park for the first time since mid-March, Cullen has sent a rallying cry to everyone associated with the club as the stakes get higher.
Cullen: Unity and support will be key
Writing in his programme notes, the Pompey CEO said: ‘We all know at this stage of the campaign, with everything to play, for there can be an element of unpredictability about results, whoever the opposition might be.
‘Mental toughness and backing from those around you – whether from within the dressing room or from the stands – is critical and can make a huge difference to confidence and individual performance.
‘We have a strong and determined group of players and staff, who remain together. Time and time again they have rebounded back as a collective from setbacks and challenges.
‘Unity and support will be key for our remaining home games and those on the road at Middlesbrough, Coventry and Stoke.
‘I am totally confident that everyone associated with Pompey, whatever their role, will give their utmost to delivering a positive end to the season, securing our hard earned and precious Championship status for 2026/27.’
For your next Pompey read: Portsmouth v Oxford United: Build-up and live updates of biggest game of season from Fratton Park