Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has criticised the scheduling of a three-week international break, arguing it harms team performance. His side, currently 18th in the Championship with seven points from six games, face a 22-day gap between their next home match and a key south-coast derby.
Mousinho's comments come ahead of Portsmouth's next fixture at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. The international window then runs from September 26 to October 17, meaning the Blues' next league outing is not until Sunday, October 11 away at Southampton. That creates a long pause in the season's rhythm.
"I don't think a three-week break in the middle of the season is a good thing," Mousinho said. "I think we're better off having the shorter breaks."
The break was extended from the traditional two weeks to allow national teams to play up to four matches. England, for example, have UEFA Nations League fixtures against Spain, Czechia and Croatia during the period. Mousinho suggested moving one pre-Christmas international window to after Christmas to ease fixture congestion later in the season.
For Portsmouth, the hiatus interrupts their attempt to build momentum. They have taken seven points from their opening six Championship matches, with a goal difference of minus one. Their last result was a 0-0 draw away at Charlton.
The squad will be without several players during the break due to injury, including Connor Ogilvie, Josh Murphy and Keshi Anderson. Check the latest availability on the club's injuries page. After the international period, attention turns immediately to the derby at St Mary's, a game that carries extra weight with Southampton three points and one place above Pompey in the table. The next match, however, is this Saturday against Blackburn, a side they drew 1-1 with in March.
The original report is at portsmouth.co.uk
