But with a 43.1-per-cent win rate since his appointment as manager last March, he’s well positioned to achieve the necessary victories that could see the Blues gatecrash the top six.
Indeed, only a few who have preceded Cowley in the Fratton Park hot seat boast such a win percentage.
So how does the current Pompey manager rank when it comes to those who have come before him?
Well, we’ve taken a look and compared his win rate to the 21 other managers who have occupied the same permanent position over the past 27 years, which means everyone since Jim Smith’s departure in 1995.
By the way, the Bald Eagle departed Fratton Park with a win percentage of 40.7 per cent from his 199 games in charge.
Not bad – but not enough to make the top five if he was included.
Here’s what we discovered...
2. Alain Perrin - 19.05 per cent
Games managed: 21; Games won: 4. Photo: Richard Heathcote
4. Guy Whittingham - 21.6 per cent
Games managed: 51; Games won: 11. Photo: Picture: Joe Pepler