The last time Swansea City played Portsmouth at Fratton Park it was a very cold New Years Day in 2025 on the south coast, and the Swans lost 4-0. Totally outclassed in football terms they simply didn’t turn up. Luke Williams was the head coach at that point but this game pretty much signalled the end of his time at Swansea.

After this fixture Williams became connected with the head coach job at West Bromwich Albion, refusing to commit to Swansea and making a couple of bizarre statements which suggested he wanted the job, and that was his first mistake. Senior players had already spoken to then Chairman, Andrew Coleman about his training strategy and continual repetitive regime every day. Promising results if they persevere which never transpired. Both of these senior professionals spoke with Coleman first in December and again in January. What then unfolded was a run of seven defeats in nine matches and even the hardiest of Swans fan would struggle to defend Williams. The Swans had dropped from ninth to seventeenth in the Championship.

This was the abiding memory for me of Portsmouth away fourteen months ago.

John Mousinho remains the manager at Pompey and has been there since January 2023. By today’s standards a very long time, over three years overseeing relegation and promotion in that time. A student at Norte Dame university in Indiana, USA the London born footballer played over five hundred games in his career. His last club Oxford United saw him see out his football days on the pitch. Since then he has been the main man at Pompey. He remains a head coach in the Championship as the most likeliest to be sacked as of March 2026. Bar that, success this season would most certainly be keeping his side in the division.

Portsmouth are a very tricky side to beat at home and the best clubs in the league have struggled at times to do so. They sit in a far more comfortable position over their last ten matches, two away wins by 3-1 against Millwall and Charlton Athletic are stand outs. (below) The Swans sit in tenth but there’s little to split the teams. The Swans have more wins but when Pompey are beaten it is only by the odd goal, a record the Swans carried with them over many games earlier on this season.

In the words of the esteemed Paul Merson, ‘it’s one of them’ The Swans would settle for a draw but those mid table teams around them see the next three games as giving them a more interesting end to this campaign. Tenacity which the Swans do lack at times despite dominating games needs to be far more in evidence, and of course finishing is always an issue for them. That was evidenced yesterday day when Gustavo Nunes mesmerised first himself and then the crowd with very poor decision making. This needs to change if the Swans want a far more respectable finish in the Championship this season.

Malick Yalcouyé didn’t get on the pitch yesterday, but as we understand it that is with this game in mind. The return of Josh Key in his rightful position of right back was very pleasing, he had a great game against Stoke City. When compared with his appearance in the fixture at Stoke in December his improvement has been extremely encouraging. Family support and his faith are very important and above all else that is what drives him.

We will carry more pre match news as time moves forwards on the Indy, and thanks as ever for your supoort and raising awareness of the brain tumour charity.

Read our comprehensive match report from yesterday with exclusive pictures and loads more below.

⚽️ Swans beat Potters

It could save your life.

Photographs : Already licensed ReutersEnter & Swansea Independent