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Pompey fans have been all too familiar with the highs and lows of play-off hopes in recent seasons.
Since the club’s arrival back into League One in 2017, the coastal side have reached the play-off places twice in three seasons, only for them to narrowly miss out on a chance to return to the Championship each time. Last season’s failure against Oxford United raised the question of whether or not the club could actually achieve promotion any time soon, with doubts cast over some of the manager’s decisions during the two games.
However, Pompey have once again found a winning mentality this season, and recent league results have shown that this year could really be their year.
They currently find themselves 3rd in the table, with a game in hand over current leaders Hull City. Although the teams around them also have games yet to be played as a result of postponements due to the current climate, Pompey are still in a somewhat commanding position in the race for promotion.
Despite their league form currently being four wins in five, their domestic cup achievements have been short lived thanks to losses against Bristol City in the FA Cup and fellow League One side Peterborough United in the EFL Trophy.
However, these defeats could prove to be a helping hand in Pompey’s mission to achieve Championship football next season. Although cup runs are beneficial for clubs, particularly at this level, Pompey will surely benefit from not having any other distractions to their league success.
The only outstanding game left for them this season is the EFL Trophy final against Salford City from last season, in which its new date has not yet been decided.
If the club are to ensure they reach their desired target, they need to be ruthless in every game they play, with last night’s 4-0 win at home to AFC Wimbledon being a prime example of how to do just that.
Pompey put in a dominant performance against a team who find themselves struggling in the relegation zone and that is something they need to maintain. They must produce dominance and show no form of complacency, especially against teams in the bottom half of the table.
Performances against their top six rivals have been superb. Wins against Peterborough United, Ipswich Town and Hull City before Christmas sparked a new sense of belief in the team and has allowed them to assert themselves as true contenders for success at the end of the season.
However, their next few games will see them up against Hull City once again, second placed Lincoln City and Charlton Athletic. If Pompey are to win these three games, they will surely be established as favourites for promotion.
In terms of goals, Portsmouth are the most successful team when it comes to finding the back of the net as they are the league’s highest scorers with 37 goals in 21 games. As well as this, they have the strongest defence with just the 15 goals conceded all season in the division.
Last night’s game also proved that the club’s source of goals can come from various different outputs. Another goal from John Marquis proved Pompey’s quality in their attack, as well as a sublime strike from winger Ryan Williams.
Centre-back Sean Raggett scored his third goal of the season thanks to his header from a free kick, and substitute Ben Close wrapped up the scoring late on to show that Portsmouth are also able to provide goals from off the bench.
With goals coming from all positions in the team, Pompey have shown the league how versatile they are. This will be a key factor in their potential promotion success this season; club’s can’t always just rely on their main attacking players to score for them, so Portsmouth’s squad rich in goals will be a huge bonus for them.
The previous two seasons saw play-off losses to Sunderland and Oxford United, so there is hope that it will be third time lucky for Pompey. Although there is still a chance the club can achieve an automatic promotion spot, the play-offs will probably be the most likely of outcomes considering the quality of the other sides around them.
However, if recent league performances are anything to base predictions on, then Pompey are showing real ambition and drive to play Championship football next season.
