Paul Merson joked, “Is there a concert tonight?” as he watched the sea of happy Pompey supporters swell on the Fratton Park pitch following the Blues’ League One title victory over Barnsley on Tuesday night.
Tim Sherwood, a former teammate at Pompey, asserted that John Mousinho’s team can immediately challenge for the Championship title after securing their promotion back to the second division of English football, just like Ipswich.
Both individuals were integral members of Harry Redknapp’s 2002–03 Premier League winning team. On Tuesday, they were a part of the Sky Sports punditry team that covered every football game.
Both promotion winners were asked for their opinions as footage from a joyous Fratton Park was shown following Conor Shaughnessy’s header in the 89th minute that gave the Blues the win over the Tykes and sealed the league.
Merson said that seeing the wild supporters rush onto the field brought back memories of the revelries that followed his team’s historic victory over Rotherham at PO4, which resulted in the former First Division championship.
“I’m so happy for them (Pompey), especially for the fans as well,” he exclaimed. What the supporters and manager have done! I get shivers when I watch them all sprint across the field. It seems like it happened yesterday.
“When John Mousinho’s appointment happened, I immediately thought, ‘This seems a little off-field.'” But he’s been nothing short of extraordinary.
They’ve only lost four games this season, which is pretty good considering that everyone in that league beats everyone else. Wow, what scenes do you see there? Is there a concert tonight?
Sherwood, who joined Pompey from Spurs in January of that year, made 17 appearances for the team during its championship-winning 2002–03 campaign. He asserted that the Blues could follow Ipswich’s example and contend seriously for the Championship title the following season.
With three games left, the Tractor Boys lead the table. They were promoted from League One the previous season.
“They can go back-to-back,” Sherwood stated. They have the fan base to be able to accomplish that, you know.
‘If they get some finances, get some new players, ride the crest of the wave, they can do what Ipswich have done.
“They have such a huge fan base, and they make such amazing noise.”
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