That loss at London Road brought John Mousinho’s winning start to life at Fratton Park to a dramatic halt and demonstrated the job at hand is far from simple.
Injuries once again impacted the Blues, as did a suspension, with Joe Morrell sitting out the visit to Posh.
There’s better news on that front, though, heading into the game with the Tykes.
Morrell is back from his one-match ban, while Joe Rafferty is in contention to feature after five months out through injury.
Tuesday’s signings of Paddy Lane and Di’Shon Bernard also provide the Blues squad with a welcome boost.
But will any of the above find themselves in Mousinho’s starting line-up for another crucial game at PO4?
Here’s how we think Pompey could start today’s game...
![Portsmouth Head Coach John Mousinho during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Peterborough United and Portsmouth at London Road, Peterborough, England on 28 January 2023.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjljNzc2NDgyLTc1NzgtNGU3Ni1hMjhhLTgxMTRhNWE5YzVhMToyYzQ1MjcyMC0zMWY3LTQ0YjEtYTQ5ZS02MTc0YmYyM2MxZDI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Portsmouth Head Coach John Mousinho during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Peterborough United and Portsmouth at London Road, Peterborough, England on 28 January 2023.
Portsmouth Head Coach John Mousinho during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Peterborough United and Portsmouth at London Road, Peterborough, England on 28 January 2023. Photo: Jason Brown
![The on-loan Luton keeper is proving a real find by Pompey. Has been excellent so far for the Blues following his January arrival and produced a man-of-the-match display in last week's defeat at Peterborough.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjdkNWEwNmU4LWI2YzUtNGJiYy1iZTMwLWFmMzE1OTY2NzdlNzo4ODMyYTYwMS03YTllLTQzNmItOWJkZS0yYjk4ZjNiNGExZDc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
2. Matt Macey - goalkeeper
The on-loan Luton keeper is proving a real find by Pompey. Has been excellent so far for the Blues following his January arrival and produced a man-of-the-match display in last week's defeat at Peterborough. Photo: Jason Brown
![The youngster will be nervously looking over his shoulder as Joe Rafferty closes in on a Pompey return. Against Posh, Swanson was handed another hard lesson in how tough League One can be if you're not at the top of your game. He's lucky that no-one is expecting Rafferty to walk straight back into the side after five months out through injury.
The former Gunner needs to conscious of Di'Shon Bernard's versatility, too.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjlhYjg5MjhhLTU1ZGItNDM2MS04Y2FkLTE0MWQ1NjhlYzNiZDplNzIxMTEzMC03NDJhLTQ3MmMtODI1ZS0wM2ZlYTdkNmEzNGQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
3. Zak Swanson - right-back
The youngster will be nervously looking over his shoulder as Joe Rafferty closes in on a Pompey return. Against Posh, Swanson was handed another hard lesson in how tough League One can be if you're not at the top of your game. He's lucky that no-one is expecting Rafferty to walk straight back into the side after five months out through injury. The former Gunner needs to conscious of Di'Shon Bernard's versatility, too. Photo: Jason Brown
![Produced another battling display in the defeat against Peterborough. He gets the nod over new-boy Di'Shon Bernard, whose sights might be better off focusing on Zak Swanson's right-back role, with the Man Utd loanee capable of playing at right-back.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjZhOGJlNzY4LWZmZDAtNDhiMy1hMDg2LTAyMjZkMWZkZjg4ZjoyM2JlODQ4Ni0xODM2LTQ1N2MtYmY0Yi04YzY2NzY2NDZhYWQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
4. Sean Raggett - centre-back 1
Produced another battling display in the defeat against Peterborough. He gets the nod over new-boy Di'Shon Bernard, whose sights might be better off focusing on Zak Swanson's right-back role, with the Man Utd loanee capable of playing at right-back. Photo: Jason Brown