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.
![It was a sour end to a fantastic two years on the south coast for the midfielder, who scored 20 goals in 80 appearances. After leaving the Blues by mutual consent in August 2017, he would join Cook at Wigan where the pair won promotion to the Championship in their first attempt. Roberts appeared 25 times for the Latics in the second tier.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmY0NGNkYjdjLWI4NDktNGE2MC1hZmFiLTg4ZjBlMWRlM2YwYTphOTJhOTQ3Mi1iZTUyLTQ3ZDItODBmNi00MTAwYjdkNDE5YWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
13. Gary Roberts
It was a sour end to a fantastic two years on the south coast for the midfielder, who scored 20 goals in 80 appearances. After leaving the Blues by mutual consent in August 2017, he would join Cook at Wigan where the pair won promotion to the Championship in their first attempt. Roberts appeared 25 times for the Latics in the second tier.Photo: Joe Pepler
![The right-back departed in controversial circumstances when he failed to sign fresh terms in a bid to find Championship football elsewhere. Instead, he joined League One rivals Peterborough in 2019 and would reach the second tier with the Posh in 2021.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjhkOWJkZGRmLTVkZWUtNGQ5Yy05YzM2LTc4YzRkOGRiMTdiMzo5NmM5M2E3NC0xMjE0LTQyNGEtOTYxMi01MzdkMzE0NDY1ZWI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
14. Nathan Thompson
The right-back departed in controversial circumstances when he failed to sign fresh terms in a bid to find Championship football elsewhere. Instead, he joined League One rivals Peterborough in 2019 and would reach the second tier with the Posh in 2021.Photo: Joe Pepler
![Stevens was key to the Blues’ League Two title-winning campaign, where he won The News’ Player of the Season award. The left-back would join Sheffield United for free in 2017 and would help the Blades reach the Premier League. In total, the 32-year-old has amassed 190 appearances in both the Championship and top flight during his time at Bramall Lane.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmYwYjRiOTEyLWUwZDQtNGQ5MS1hYTA0LWFiZjk0ODQwNTk4ZjplNzdiYWEyNS00ODliLTRjOGQtOGYzNi0zNjM4NGY3MGI3MTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
15. Enda Stevens
Stevens was key to the Blues’ League Two title-winning campaign, where he won The News’ Player of the Season award. The left-back would join Sheffield United for free in 2017 and would help the Blades reach the Premier League. In total, the 32-year-old has amassed 190 appearances in both the Championship and top flight during his time at Bramall Lane.Photo: Joe Pepler