A good omen for Portsmouth? Here's how Football Manager 2019 predicted the Blues' season

Here's what happened when we put the game into autopilot mode '“ and simulated Pompey's current League One season. 

Transfers: ins and outs

Kenny Jackett secured the season-long loan signing of West Ham United attacking-midfielder Grady Diangana and added Sheffield Wednesday's Jacob Butterfield to his squad. 

But having only just joined from Bromley, Jackett was left unimpressed by Louis Dennis and allowed him to leave on a free transfer to Gateshead. 

In the January market, Pompey had to deal with the loss of two key defenders.

Jack Whatmough joined Sunderland for £2.6m, while a £1.1m offer from Bristol City lured Nathan Thompson to the Championship club. 

Dion Donohue was unable to force his way into Jackett's plans and was sold to Doncaster Rovers in a £53,000 deal, while Conor Chaplin's loan move to Coventry turned permanent as planned.

The Blues collected a fee of £500,000. 

Jackett used the money generated to add three new faces to his squad ahead of their promotion run-in. 

Luke Hendrie was purchased from Shrewsbury Town for £37,000 to become a regular at right-back. 

Jackett then turned to the Premier League once more, bringing in Kaylen Hinds from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a temporary deal. 

Pompey paid £120,000 to take David Worrall from Port Vale '“ however, he failed to make a single League One appearance. 

Celebrating in May '“ Pompey are crowned League One champions

It was an indifferent opening month for Pompey, who won their first two matches but then slipped to three successive defeats. 

However, that proved to be the Blues' only blip of the season, losing just two more games as the club topped the League One table at the halfway point with 44 points, a point above Burton Albion. 

Teams in the past have fallen to the pressure at the top. Not Jackett's men though, who held off significant pressure from the Brewers. 

Playing 21 games from January to May, Pompey managed to win 13 of those fixtures - including an unbeaten April - drawing five and losing just three '“ two of which followed when they had already secured the title.

In the end, Jackett's side finished five points above Burton on 91 points and celebrated a return the Championship. 

Indeed it was Lowe who finished the club's top scorer with 14 goals from 33 outings, chipping in with six assists. 

Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Checkatrade Trophy

Pompey's journey in the Carabao Cup didn't make it past the first hurdle after Grimsby Town emerged victorious on penalties at Fratton Park. 

The FA Cup provided much more excitement, beating Boreham Wood and Swindon Town on their route to the third round. 

Though Pompey dreamed of a Premier League big gun, they had to settle for a clash against Hull City, who they held to a 1-1 draw on home turf but lost 3-0 in the replay. 

The Checkatrade Trophy carried on its tradition of attracting low crowds as Pompey exited the competition in the second round following another loss on spot-kicks, this time against Crawley. 

Memorable moment '“ five star performance

On Boxing Day, Pompey swept aside mid-table Gillingham with a 5-0 win at the Priestfield Stadium.

Jackett's troops were 3-0 up in the first half through Jacob Butterfield, Andre Green and Joe Mason. 

Thompson then chipped in with a goal before Green added his second in front of the 1,515 travelling supporters.