What can Barnsley expect from Portsmouth this Saturday?

Barnsley travel to the South Coast on Saturday in the Sky Bet League One fixture against Portsmouth. We asked Pompey fan Hugh Bunce for his take on Pompey`s season so far.

Portsmouth recently sacked Danny & Nicky Cowley after a winless run of 9 games. What went wrong for the Cowleys at Pompey?

Danny and Nicky Cowley are both very likeable people, who helped mend the disconnect between fans and the club after the dark days of Kenny Jackett.

Their work in the community was exceptional and they started modernising our football analysis processes, bringing excitement around the city.

Unfortunately, after a promising start to the season, Pompey had only won once in fifteen games. Managing a club that should be aiming for promotion each season, was too much even for the famously patient board.

The appointment of John Mousinho with little managerial experience appears to be a surprise. What are your thoughts on the appointment?

We have only played three games since the special John arrived as manager, but early signs are promising.

I was optimistic despite the lack of experience as rookie managers in our league and above are doing so well.

You just have to look at Steven Schumacher at Plymouth or Kieran McKenna at Ipswich as obvious examples. Granted, both had more assistant experience, but you don’t need to be an old experienced head to be an immediate success.

Pompey’s new Sporting Director Rich Hughes did a similar appointment at Forest Green Rovers. Rob Edwards got Forest Green promoted and is now manager of a 4th-place Luton Town in the Championship. I am hoping Hughes has made another appointment that works out as well as Edwards.

Have Portsmouth improved under Mousinho and in what areas?

It is still early days for Mousinho m, but in his first two games vs Exeter and Fleetwood Pompey won 2-0. The most impressive change for me was the way we pressed out of possession and showed some fighting spirit to change the momentum of games by utilising the press.

However, that didn’t materialise away at a good Peterborough side until 70 minutes in. How Pompey bounces back against another very good team in Barnsley will tell the fans a lot about how good this team is.

Which Pompey players will be a threat to Barnsley on Saturday?

Paddy Lane just signed from Fleetwood Town on deadline day and can be an exciting, dynamic winger who can get fans off the edge of their seats. He likes to cut inside and has a wicked shot.

Di’Shon Bernard has just joined on loan from Man United and could make his debut at CB. Bernard is very comfortable on the ball and likes to dribble and dish out a well-timed sliding tackle. He spent part of last season in the championship on loan at Hull.

Barnsley have only won once in 21 games at Fratton Park since 1980. Give us your prediction for Saturday’s game.

My head says 1-1 but my heart says 2-1 Pompey. Let’s go with the heart with goals from Colby Bishop and Ryley Towler.

Pompey's last outing: