Don Goodman evaluates chances of Portsmouth reaching Premier League in 2025
Don Goodman says it is not realistic for Portsmouth to consider matching Ipswich Town by challenging for automatic promotion next season.
Pompey will be back in the Championship in August after 12 years away thanks to the impressive work of John Mousinho and his players.
Ipswich’s charge for back-to-back promotions up to the Premier League this season has showed what is possible with the right group.
While Goodman says challenging for the play-offs cannot be entirely ruled out, he believes simply focusing on safety is the priority.
Goodman told Pompey News: “For every Ipswich, I’ll give you a Plymouth Argyle, who finished above them and are still looking over their shoulder at a relegation battle.
“Plymouth are a more realistic example for what Portsmouth can expect rather than Ipswich. What Ipswich have done is incredible. Southampton were the last team to go back-to-back 12 years or so ago.
“Stuff like this doesn’t happen. The gap between the Championship and Premier League has got bigger, so to has the gap between the Championship and League One. That’s what makes Ipswich’s achievements this season, regardless of what happens, incredible.
“Portsmouth should focus on consolidation, and then if they’re anywhere near the top half come the final 10 games or so, then they know they’ll not be a million miles off a play-off spot. Aiming for the top half would be a more realistic target for them.”
Portsmouth aiming for Championship survival in 2024-25
Portsmouth supporters are realistic in that they know finishing 21st next season is the number one aim. It can be hard going from winning the vast majority of matches to then losing regularly, but that is the brutal reality of promotion.
As Goodman says, what Ipswich are on course to achieve this season is very much an anomaly. It has not happened in more than a decade and probably will not happen for another 10 years or so.
It is all about adapting to the division and hopefully being in a position to challenge for a return to the Premier League in the next five years or so.
The beauty of the Championship is that half the division can often be involved in the play-off race, so there is always a chance. Ultimately, though, if offered 21st place right now, you would expect Mousinho would take it.
In other Portsmouth news, the women’s side showed remarkable fighting spirit to overcome Cheltenham Town Ladies.
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