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.
9. Marcus Harness
The winger is yet to play in the second tier but won promotion from League One with Ipswich last weekend. After leaving Pompey in 2022, Harness has scored five goals in 39 league outings, while also registering three assists. Photo: Jason Brown
10. Kal Naismith
After a three-year stay at Fratton Park, the Scot would depart the south coast for free at the end of the 2017-18 season. The winger would rekindle his links with former boss Cook at Wigan that summer in the Championship. Following his exit from the DW Stadium in 2021, he has spent time with Luton and is currently at Bristol City. Photo: Joe Pepler/ PinPep
11. Jack Whatmough
After coming through the ranks in the academy at Fratton Park, Whatmough would total 136 appearances in all competitions for the Blues. However, the defender failed to renew his contract at Pompey in 2021 and would join team-mate Naylor at Wigan. After winning promotion in his first season with the Latics, he has since impressed in the Championship despite Wigan’s relegation and was handed a new two-and-a-half-year deal in February. Photo: Joe Pepler
12. James Bolton
Bolton was sold to Plymouth for an undisclosed fee in June 2021 but his time at Home Park has been hampered by injuries. The defender has totalled just 19 league outings for the Pilgrims but - like Harness - won promotion to the Championship last weekend. His current deal is set to expire in the summer. Photo: Joe Pepler