Pompey completed their quest for Championship football in April as they booked their return to the second tier of English footbal as League One Championships.
It proved to be a relentless pursuit that was initally started in the summer of 2017, after Paul Cook’s Blues secured the League Two title thanks to a 6-1 win over Cheltenham on the final day of the 2016-17 season.
Since then, Pompey have turned to three different managers/head coaches to achieve their goal - Kenny Jackett, Danny Cowley and John Mousinho. However, it was Mousinho who finally delivered the prize as his side went above and beyond what his two previous predecessors’ teams could achieve.
That guarantees him a place in Fratton Park folklore. But it’s fair to say, his achievements might not have been entirely possible had it not been for some of the work undertaken at Fratton Park in the years building up to this season’s success. As director Eric Eisner often points out, it’s process that has been built and allowed to take shape over time.
In that sense, both Jackett and Cowley have helped shape Pompey’s rise - not that they would want any of the credit - with the former kicking it all off under the Eisners.
Mistakes were made along the way, as we all know. But with the latest transfer window fast approaching, what tranfer successes and failings were there under Jackett’s charge? We’ve assessed his 50 transfers during his near three years at the Fratton Park helm - and this is what we’ve decided, with each player given a rating out of 10. See if you agree or disagree.
29. James Vaughan - 5
Pompey stats: 11 appearances, 0 goals. Verdict: Arrived to bolster Pompey’s options in the 2018-19 promotion push in case injuries took their toll. There were no goals in 11 games for the striker, though. Offered nastiness up front but never really threatened in terms of scoring. | National World
30. James Bolton - 6/10
Pompey stats: 53 appearances, 3 goals. Verdict: The free transfer arrival from Shrewsbury ws handed just 28 starts during his two year spell at Fratton Park. Havinf fallen out of the picture under Kenny Jackett and then Danny Cowley, he left for Plymouth with 12 months of his PO4 contract remaining. Injuries also hampered his time on the south coast. | National World
31. Paul Downing - 4/10
Pompey stats: 27 appearances, 0 goals. Verdict: The Blackburn man had been signed by Kenny Jackett to bolster the Blues’ League One promotion hopes following play-off semi-final defeat to Sunderland in May 2019. However, he made just 27 appearances during his time on the south coast, while also spending a loan spell at Rochdale. Downing struggled to make an impact, largely through injury, and would total just nine league starts in his three Fratton Park seasons. | National World
32. Ellis Harrison - 5/10
Pompey stats: 84 appearances, 20 goals. Verdict: The Fratton faithful were entitled to expect more from a £425,000 signing from an Ipswich. The striker’s return of 20 goalsfrom 84 games hardly warrants value for money, having been identified as a player equipped with the capabilities to drive Kenny Jackett’s side to promotion. | National World