A season of underachievement for Portsmouth as apathy among fans now stronger than ever

Well, if Russell Crowe stood in the middle of Southsea Common and reenacted his famous scene from the movie Gladiator on Monday night then there’d have been an emphatic ‘no’ response.

For successive years, Pompey have crashed out of the League One play-offs in uninspiring fashion.

No-one can argue that Oxford are a better team than the Blues.

Lady Luck was on their side in the penalty shootout at the Kassam Stadium.

Nevertheless, it’s the fact that Kenny Jackett’s men have fallen at the same hurdle in the same manner for consecutive seasons that’s irked sections of supporters.

And with little progress on the field from last term palpable, it’s why Pompey have ultimately underachieved.

For the first time under Jackett, feats on the pitch haven’t met the expectations required at the start of the campaign.

The ex-Wolves supremo’s maiden season after succeeding Paul Cook proved a sound effort under the circumstances.

Taking over in June 2017, he had less time than his League One counterparts to start his recruitment process, meaning most had stole a march.

Nevertheless, an eighth-placed finish represented a palatable effort given the parameters he was working within.

The foundations were indeed set for a charge at promotion in 2018-19, as the Blues recruited the likes of Tom Naylor, Ronan Curtis and Craig MacGillivray, as well as Ben Thompson on loan.

Certainly, a top-two finish looked a likely prospect when Pompey proudly sat five points clear at the summit on New Year's Day.

It would ultimately be play-off disappointment against Sunderland, however, as Jackett’s men ran out of steam in the second half of the campaign.

A meek effort over two legs against the Black Cats frustrated the Fratton faithful, with Pompey nowhere near the required level to progress to the final.

But with the Checkatrade Trophy added to the trophy cabinet, it could be regarded as a decent effort overall.

The day out to Wembley proved memorable, while climbing from eighth 12 months prior to fourth place demonstrated progress was being made.

As we evaluate this campaign, though, the Blues have punched below their weight.

The departures of Matt Clarke and Jamal Lowe last summer were always going to be difficult to replace.

Nevertheless, the money was reinvested, with Pompey splashing out substantial fees for the likes of John Marquis, Marcus Harness and Ellis Harrison.

There were cup runs to enjoy along the way, again reaching Wembley in the rebranded Leasing.com Trophy.

However, there is scant chance fans would have taken those over promotion.

A return to the Championship is what supporters covet well above everything else.

It would be semblance to outsiders that this proud club is back where it belongs after a well-documented plight.

Yet, throughout this term, there was never full conviction Pompey were a top-two outfit.

Even amid a club-record nine successive wins, doubts over whether the Blues were good enough to go up automatically always loitered.

On paper, the squad was deeper, competition for places fiercer than ever before, but the starting XI never felt as potent the previous campaign.

In fact, you got the impression Jackett never quite knew what his strongest line-up was – an antithesis of when Pompey looked like a promotion side during the first half of 2018-19.

Various concoctions along the way were sampled, such as Marquis in the number-10 role as Oli Hawkins featured at centre-back.

But as recently as the play-off games, there was never true conviction who was the strongest right-back, right-winger or striker.

Ultimately, the Blues exiting the play-offs at the hand of Oxford brought back the same emotions. Tepid and lacklustre.

And, as a result, apathy has taken its grip stronger than ever among the Fratton faithful.

Jackett's pragmatic rather than proactive approach has meant the manager’s detractors have only increased.

The lack of entertainment is what large contingents have bemoaned most, even during successful periods on the pitch.

Jackett remains determined to lead Pompey to the second tier, showing no signs he’s ready to walk away.

With three promotions on his CV, there’s realistically not a fan who wouldn't rule out the Blues going up next term.

A summer rebuild will be required, with seven out of contract and four loanees also departing.

But as we assess the season just finished, Pompey have underachieved – leaving any rebuild a major undertaking