Fans are divided on the use of bubbles.
Some see it as an inconvenient necessity to quell violence, while others believe it ruins the matchday experience.
Supporter Darren Sumner said: “It’s taken a lot away from derby day.
“I’ve done the bubble previously and, while it confirms safety for the police, it waters down the derby day feeling so much.
“I have Pompey mates who feel the same. I would love it to go back to how it was.”
Mark Howie runs a supporters’ group called the Committee Of Loyal Saints Living Around Watford (COLSLAW).
He has attended “bubble” fixtures in the past but said he “can’t be bothered with the hassle” on this occasion.
“I hate being forced into the bubble, especially having to travel into Southampton just to go back out again, almost the same way I came in,” he said.
“But, having done Portsmouth games home and away on a number of occasions, I have to admit it is an evil necessity.
“On a couple of occasions in the past the potential – and actual – violence at both the home and away fixtures was palpable.
“If it wasn’t for police protection, it could have been a lot worse and impacted a lot of innocent fans from both sides.”
Saints fan Thomas Luffman said: “Unfortunately, the idiots have won as it’s not safe for either set of fans travelling to each other’s stadium. So there is no alternative, but to have the fans in a bubble.”
Civil liberties group The Manifesto Club has been critical of bubble matches.
In a report for the organisation called Criminalising Football Fans, Peter Lloyd wrote: “Bubble match restrictions do not target the minority of troublemakers. Instead, they punish all away fans and hope to deter the violent minority by doing so. This is surely wrong in principle.”
.
