Meet the opposition | Portsmouth
As Swansea City get set to lock horns with Portsmouth, we take a closer look at Pompey.
What's their story?
Portsmouth were formed in 1898 and enjoyed early success in the Southern and Western Leagues before becoming founder members of the Football League Third Division in 1920.
They soon climbed the ranks, reaching the FA Cup final in 1929, before winning the competition in 1939. Post-war they were back-to-back top-flight champions in 1949 and 1950.
A tougher period followed after relegation from the top tier in 1959 but, following a return for a solitary season in 1987-88, they become regulars in the second tier and would go on to enjoy great success after securing promotion to the Premier League under Harry Redknapp in 2003.
Pompey went on to spend seven years in the division, claiming a best finish of ninth and winning the FA Cup by beating Cardiff in the 2008 final.
They lost another final to Chelsea in 2010 but, with the club experiencing financial difficulties, they were relegated after being deducted nine points for going into administration.
Further financial woes followed and by the summer of 2013 they were in League Two, although the purchase of the club by the Pompey Supporters’ Trust did provide some reason for optimism.
They would get to League One under Paul Cook in 2017 and, after a number of near misses, returned to the Championship in 2024 as they claimed the League One title under John Mousinho.
How's their form?
Portsmouth host the Swans in good form on Tuesday evening, and are unbeaten in their last five matches. Key wins against Sheffield United, Norwich and Millwall, as well as a credible draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, have seen them climb up the Championship table.
Pompey currently sit in 11th position in the league standings, three points behind West Ham United who occupy the final play-off spot.
Who's the gaffer?
John Mousinho was appointed Portsmouth boss in January 2023, taking on his first senior managerial role.
During his maiden campaign in charge, he led Pompey to within sight of the play-offs before carrying on that momentum the following season, culminating in securing the League One title and a return to the Championship in 2024.
Before stepping into management, Mousinho had an 18-year playing career that included spells with Brentford, Wycombe Wanderers, Stevenage, Preston North End, Burton Albion and Oxford United.
He also helped Stevenage and Burton Albion to promotions and was holding a player-coach role with Oxford prior to being handed the reins at Fratton Park.
Who's the captain?
Experienced midfielder Marlon Pack is the current club captain of Pompey in his fifth season back with the club where he started his career.
A product of the club’s academy, Pack made just one appearance for Pompey before loan spells with Wycombe, Dagenham & Redbridge and Cheltenham Town followed.
He most prolific senior spell came at Bristol City in 2013 where, across six seasons at Ashton Gate, he helped the Robins secure promotion to the Championship, EFL Trophy success and reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
He later joined Cardiff in 2019, reaching the play-offs in 2020, but went on to leave at the end of his contract in 2022.
That led to his return to Fratton Park, and he skippered Pompey to the title and promotion in 2024, producing an outstanding series of performances that saw him named in the League One team of the year and named the club’s player of the season.
Who are the key men?
A key player for Pompey is striker Marko Milovanović who made the switch to Fratton Park from Spanish side Almería.
The 22-year-old Serbian, also known as ‘Marezi’, put pen to paper on a four-year-deal and became the club’s fourth signing in the summer.
Marezi began his career in his homeland with Belgrade-based side Partizan, scoring his first goal as a teenager before earning a move to Almería in the summer 2022.
The former Serbia youth international spent the whole of last season on loan with Alverca. He enjoyed an impressive spell with the Portuguese club, scoring 10 goals as he helped them to a 11th-placed finish in the top flight.
So far this term, he has started all of Pompey’s 13 matches, registering three goals.
Another key player for Pompey is Australian midfielder Adrian Segecic who is the club’s joint top scorer this season.
Born in Westmead, the 22-year-old came through the ranks at Sydney FC, making his professional debut in 2021.
He went on to make 44 league appearances for Sydney and also gained valuable experience during a loan spell in the Netherlands with FC Dordrecht, helping them reach the Eerste Divisie play-offs.
During his debut campaign at Fratton Park last season, he scored 11 goals in 40 appearances, helping Pompey to a respectable 18th placed finish in their first season back in the second tier for 12 years.