BRENDON BONE

@ brendonvbone

Last season was ultimately a bit of a disappointment. Two decent patches of form were affected by long COVID breaks and we never really got going. We expected much but achieved little.

The big talking point is preparing for yet another season in League One – this will now be our sixth running. It’s the Cowley brothers’ third transfer window and more serious questions will be asked if they fail this time. This season will be different because there’s genuine hope that with some additional quality, we might sustain a promotion push. The second half of the last campaign was good but we’re consistently inconsistent. We’ve got Marlon Pack back this season, which is brilliant – he can smash midfields in League One.

Our key player will be Sean Raggett [ below] – our player of the season and a rock at the heart of the defence. He is a leader for us. Thankfully he signed a new two- year contract this summer.

Our most underrated player is Joe Morrell, our World Cup- bound Welsh midfielder. If we can get him firing, he’ll take the league by storm. The opposition player who grinds my gears is up for grabs this season: now that Max Power has moved up to the second tier with Wigan, there’s no one obviously irritating left. The opposition player I’d love here is

– ahem – Max Power.

Fans think our ground is very old and atmospheric, but what else could you want from a ground?

The active player I’d love to have

back is Michael Doyle. It’s a shame he’s now the wrong side of 40, because we never replaced him.

Look out for Harry Jewitt- White, a very talented Wales Under- 18s midfielder.

Fans think our owners are potentially lacking ambition on the field. I think a lot of the fanbase are grateful for our American overlords, but time will tell.

The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is that Danny Cowley [ above] ‘ gets’ Pompey whereas many before him haven’t – but he doesn’t seem to have a Plan B when things aren’t going our way. He is loved until he isn’t.

We’ll finish in the play- offs. Anything less is a failure.

FFT VERDICT

7TH

Cowley trusts the ever- reliable Pack to inspire a promotion push but big improvement is needed, especially with no Gavin Bazunu on loan to perform heroics in goal. Despite Eric Eisner pleading patience, a third consecutive season outside the top six would go down very badly.