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.
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.
![Pompey stats: 25 appearances, 2 goals.
Verdict: O’Keefe was signed on loan from Cardiff to help Pompey acclimatise to their new League One surroundings, having spent the past four years in the Football League's basement division. He certainly did that, especially with Michael Doyle long gone. But it came at the expense of fan favourite Danny Rose. While he displayed plenty of energy and vigour, the midfielder wasn’t someone who specifically shielded the back four, a passer who dictated possession or a frequent provider of goals and assists. Injury also ruled him out for four months of his season-long Fratton Park stay.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/04/11/43/Stuart%20O%27Keefe.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
9. Stuart O'Keefe - 6/10
Pompey stats: 25 appearances, 2 goals. Verdict: O’Keefe was signed on loan from Cardiff to help Pompey acclimatise to their new League One surroundings, having spent the past four years in the Football League's basement division. He certainly did that, especially with Michael Doyle long gone. But it came at the expense of fan favourite Danny Rose. While he displayed plenty of energy and vigour, the midfielder wasn’t someone who specifically shielded the back four, a passer who dictated possession or a frequent provider of goals and assists. Injury also ruled him out for four months of his season-long Fratton Park stay. | National World
![Pompey stats: 33 appearances, 3 goals.
Verdict: Excited during the early days of his loan spell from Cardiff with his direct play, resulting in some supporters calling for Pompey to make a permanent swoop. However, his form dipped towards the end of the 2017-18 campaign.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/04/11/39/Matty%20Kennedy.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
10. Matty Kennedy - 6/10.
Pompey stats: 33 appearances, 3 goals. Verdict: Excited during the early days of his loan spell from Cardiff with his direct play, resulting in some supporters calling for Pompey to make a permanent swoop. However, his form dipped towards the end of the 2017-18 campaign. | National World
![Pompey stats: 2 appearances, 0 goals.
Verdict: Signed on loan by Kenny Jackett from former club Wolves in January 2018, yet the left-back failed to impress. He was handed just two appearances and, tellingly, was substituted around the 60-minute mark in each.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmM0NDQ1YjU3LWRhZmYtNGZhMS1iYWJkLTgwZGU5YjNkYzNjODpmYjkzNjk5MS1hMjBjLTQ0ZDMtYjczOS0wZjE4NzQxY2IyOTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
11. Sylvain Deslandes - 2/10
Pompey stats: 2 appearances, 0 goals. Verdict: Signed on loan by Kenny Jackett from former club Wolves in January 2018, yet the left-back failed to impress. He was handed just two appearances and, tellingly, was substituted around the 60-minute mark in each. Photo: Joe Pepler
![Pompey stats: 17 appearances, 0 goals.
Verdict: Joined alongside Wolves team-mate Deslandes in January 2018 but would have a more successful stay, making 17 appearances. The playmaker clearly had talent in abundance but struggled physically.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjgwMjY5YzBkLTQ1MTgtNDIyMy05Zjc3LTQwZWRhYWU1MzhlZTo0OTAwZTE3Zi1kNzY2LTQ3MDItOThhMS1mYTZkYmI5ODA0MzQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
12. Connor Ronan - 5/10
Pompey stats: 17 appearances, 0 goals. Verdict: Joined alongside Wolves team-mate Deslandes in January 2018 but would have a more successful stay, making 17 appearances. The playmaker clearly had talent in abundance but struggled physically.Photo: Joe Pepler