It does, though, come as no surprise after a hugely disappointing campaign has seen them miss out on the play-offs for the third season in succession.
Ahead of their finale against Wycombe this Sunday, John Mousinho’s men sit seven points away from the top six in eighth.
During the Pompey’s six campaigns in the third tier, there have been plenty of near misses with the Fratton Park outfit falling short under Kenny Jackett and Danny Cowley.
And in that time there have been plenty of players used during the Blues’ quest for Championship football.
But many have reached that division before Pompey have even left League One as the wait for promotion continues.
We’ve looked at the 14 men who have reached the second tier of English football before the Blues since Paul Cook’s title-winning season from League Two in 2017
NOTE: Loan signings have been excluded with list only including players who have been released or sold.
During the Pompey’s six campaigns in the third tier, there have been plenty of near misses with the Fratton Park outfit falling short under Kenny Jackett and Danny Cowley.
![Despite coming through the ranks at Fratton Park, game time would always come at a premium for the academy graduate. Having been overlooked by Cowley, Bass would join Championship side Sunderland in July 2022 for an undisclosed fee. However, the keeper is yet to make a league outing for the Black Cats, with his two sole outings coming in cup competitions.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmZjMTYyYThhLWU4ZjEtNGU0ZS05NzZiLTJkNjI4ZmE5Yjc2NTpjYjQ2ZmVkNy05MWNhLTQ5MTQtOTBmYi1iNDQzM2VmZDMzMjY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
5. Alex Bass
Despite coming through the ranks at Fratton Park, game time would always come at a premium for the academy graduate. Having been overlooked by Cowley, Bass would join Championship side Sunderland in July 2022 for an undisclosed fee. However, the keeper is yet to make a league outing for the Black Cats, with his two sole outings coming in cup competitions.Photo: Graham Hunt
![Despite featuring 32 times under Jackett during the 2017-18 season, Chaplin was sent out to Coventry on loan in August 2018 before he made the permanent switch six-months later. After impressing for the Sky Blues, the striker would earn a Championship move in July 2019 when he signed for newly-promoted Barnsley. He spent two seasons in the second tier and was recently promoted from League One with Ipswich.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmE2MGJhZDhmLTFkZTUtNDcxYS05OGNlLTkwYzE5N2E0ODJmYTo4YjI2Y2Y4NS1mMWUxLTQ2OWItYWI4Ny03MmU1NzA1ZjFhMWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
6. Conor Chaplin
Despite featuring 32 times under Jackett during the 2017-18 season, Chaplin was sent out to Coventry on loan in August 2018 before he made the permanent switch six-months later. After impressing for the Sky Blues, the striker would earn a Championship move in July 2019 when he signed for newly-promoted Barnsley. He spent two seasons in the second tier and was recently promoted from League One with Ipswich.Photo: Joe Pepler
![After a standout 2018-19 campaign for the Blues, the central defender earned a move to Premier League outfit Brighton. He would fail to register a competitive outing for the Seagulls, instead spending time on loan with both Derby and West Brom in the Championship. Clarke left the AMEX Stadium last summer, signing a permanent deal at Middlesbrough.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmE2NDZkMjg3LTU1NjItNGM1ZC1iMDIzLTBiYWQxMzc4YTJlOTphMjVjZTk2Ni1hNDI4LTRiY2YtYTdlOS0yYjk3NmVhYjNlZTM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
7. Matt Clarke
After a standout 2018-19 campaign for the Blues, the central defender earned a move to Premier League outfit Brighton. He would fail to register a competitive outing for the Seagulls, instead spending time on loan with both Derby and West Brom in the Championship. Clarke left the AMEX Stadium last summer, signing a permanent deal at Middlesbrough.Photo: Joe Pepler
![Cannon was one of six players not handed a new deal by Cowley in 2021. After leaving the Blues for free, the midfielder would be snapped up by newly-promoted Hull and would go onto make 15 Championship outings for the Tigers. After a spell with Stockport, the 27-year-old returned to non-league with Wrexham in December on a permanent basis. His side were recently crowned National League champions in April.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjlhNzljN2IwLWVlNzUtNDJkNS1hZDJiLTM4MjEyYmE2ODdlMTpjYzk2NTI5Yy0wYWU4LTQ4NmQtYWY4My0zZGJjZGRkNjU5Mzk=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
8. Andy Cannon
Cannon was one of six players not handed a new deal by Cowley in 2021. After leaving the Blues for free, the midfielder would be snapped up by newly-promoted Hull and would go onto make 15 Championship outings for the Tigers. After a spell with Stockport, the 27-year-old returned to non-league with Wrexham in December on a permanent basis. His side were recently crowned National League champions in April.Photo: Jason Brown