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: 28 appearances, 1 goals
Verdict: Shrewsbury recalled Morris from a successful Wycombe loan spell in order to sell him to promotion-chasing Pompey in January 2019. However, the luckless central midfielder suffered a catalogue of injury problems which significantly impacted his time at Fratton Park. Surprisingly replaced Tom Naylor in the 2020 League One play-off semi-finals against Oxford United. However, never impressed and left on a free transfer in July 2021.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjkzMGI2Y2Q4LTFhOTUtNGExMy1hYWE0LTA1YTg0NmQ1YjhlMzpiZmE5Y2FmMi1jZjk2LTQxMWUtYjk2Zi03ODFhMjE5MmEzOGE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
21. Bryn Morris - 3/10.
Pompey stats: 28 appearances, 1 goals Verdict: Shrewsbury recalled Morris from a successful Wycombe loan spell in order to sell him to promotion-chasing Pompey in January 2019. However, the luckless central midfielder suffered a catalogue of injury problems which significantly impacted his time at Fratton Park. Surprisingly replaced Tom Naylor in the 2020 League One play-off semi-finals against Oxford United. However, never impressed and left on a free transfer in July 2021. | National WorldPhoto: Joe Pepler
![Pompey stats: 17 appearances, 3 goals.
Verdict: Struggled for opportunities during his loan spell from Loftus Road because of the form of Ronan Curtis and Jamal Lowe. Ended with the winner in the Checkatrade Trophy quarter-final win over Peterborough before being recalled by his parent club in January.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/04/12/18/David%20Wheeler.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
22. David Wheeler - 5/10
Pompey stats: 17 appearances, 3 goals. Verdict: Struggled for opportunities during his loan spell from Loftus Road because of the form of Ronan Curtis and Jamal Lowe. Ended with the winner in the Checkatrade Trophy quarter-final win over Peterborough before being recalled by his parent club in January. | National World
![Pompey stats: 27 appearances, 3 goals.
Verdict: The midfielder made an immediate impact on the Fratton faithful thanks to his scintillating displays while on loan from Millwall. There was no surprise when he was recalled early by the Lions in January 2019 as they battled for Championship survival. Many believes Pompey's promotion hopes went up in smoke when Thompson's loan was cut short.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/04/12/36/Ben%20Thompson.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
23. Ben Thompson - 9/10
Pompey stats: 27 appearances, 3 goals. Verdict: The midfielder made an immediate impact on the Fratton faithful thanks to his scintillating displays while on loan from Millwall. There was no surprise when he was recalled early by the Lions in January 2019 as they battled for Championship survival. Many believes Pompey's promotion hopes went up in smoke when Thompson's loan was cut short. | National World
![Pompey stats: 12 appearances,3 goals.
Verdict: An exciting prospect but, like David Wheeler, was limited to game time. An operation to remove a cyst also sidelined him for a prolonged period. Returned to Villa in January and played his part in their promotion to the Premier League.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/04/12/44/Andre%20Green.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
24. Andre Green - 5/10
Pompey stats: 12 appearances,3 goals. Verdict: An exciting prospect but, like David Wheeler, was limited to game time. An operation to remove a cyst also sidelined him for a prolonged period. Returned to Villa in January and played his part in their promotion to the Premier League. | National World