Survival a 'stunning achievement' given circumstances

There will be a time to analyse how Portsmouth can move forward as a football club on and off the pitch. How can they aim higher than battling relegation in the Championship?

John Mousinho was clear that investments are required on and off the pitch when chatting live on BBC Radio Solent this week.

However, for a few days at least it is worth pausing and celebrating Championship survival.

It is a stunning achievement given the circumstances. Huge credit needs to go to Mousinho, Richard Hughes and the playing squad.

Why is it such an achievement? It is down to a combination of factors.

Firstly numerous sources have suggested to me that Portsmouth's budget is the 23rd "biggest" in the division, above only Sheffield Wednesday.

It is hard to know exact numbers but that estimate seems reasonable. Wage bill is the biggest predictor of finishing position in the league. Any time you finish higher than your budget placing in a table should be considered good.

That is before you consider all the injury issues Portsmouth have had this season.

If you had asked me to name the squad's five best players last summer the list would have included Josh Murphy, Conor Shaughnessy, Callum Lang and Colby Bishop.

Murphy, Shaughnessy and Lang have spent much of the season injured with Lang sold to Preston North End in January.

Bishop has not performed anywhere near the levels of last season. If you had told me about these issues last summer, I would have predicted relegation for Pompey.

"Second season syndrome" is a bit of a cliche but teams have been much smarter facing Pompey at Fratton Park this season.

The Blues stayed up because of their incredible home record last campaign. Teams would turn up, assume they could outplay a struggling side and invariably get beaten.

This time sides have realised they need to be more cautious and counter attack at speed. Pompey were never going to match last season's home record but they are going to stay up with a modest points haul at Fratton Park.

Surviving for a second season in a row is not particularly exciting. Climbing the league without increasing the budget will be difficult. Fans want to look ahead to next season with hope.

But it is worth pausing and acknowledging what a fine achievement it is that Pompey will be a Championship club again next season.