Football Season Guide

Portsmouth are coming from a very frustrating campaign which saw them narrowly miss out on direct promotion before losing their play-off final against Sunderland with an aggregate score of 1:0. While sections of fans called for Kenny Jackett's head during a particularly poor run of form midway through the season that eventually cost them direct promotion, the board acknowledged the fact that Pompey have been showing progress every season under Jackett and therefore opted against making a managerial change. Portsmouth have let a lot of fringe players leave during the summer transfer window, with a big exception to this being Matt Clarke, their last season's Player of the Year, who has joined Brighton. The experienced Paul Downing signs from Blackburn as a replacement, while several other players proven at this level have signed in Ryan Williams, James Bolton, Marcus Harness and Ellis Harrison. Ross McCrorie and Sean Raggett, who sign on loan, are unknowns at League One level, but are both expected to feature heavily. Despite losing the outstanding Clarke, Pompey look stronger than they were last time around. They have more potential starters now all over the pitch and this is particularly important in the attacking areas, as the arrivals of Harness and Ellis Harrison will give Jackett more options in positions when he chose between only three players during the majority of the previous campaign. Portsmouth as a club have been steadily improving over the best part of the current decade and now look well equipped to push for promotion.