However, remarkably, with two matches to spare, John Mousinho’s men stayed up following an Easter Monday victory over Watford at Fratton Park.
Ultimately, the Blues finished 16th in the Championship – five points above the relegation zone – for a fine finish back at this level after a 12-year absence.
And here are Neil Allen’s ratings for each Pompey player for the 2024-25 season...
33. Colby Bishop - 9
(32 games, 11 goals) His quicker-than-anticipated return following open-heart surgery just three months earlier transformed Pompey’s season. The Blues had won one of their opening 16 games before Bishop’s comeback - and then accrued the ninth-most points over the remainder of the season. Finishing as top scorer for a third straight season, Bishop is pivotal to the team on the pitch and in the dressing room off it. Incredible work-rate, physically a handful, selfless and hugely popular. His maiden Blues hat-trick at Norwich was particularly special. Photo: Jason Brown
34. Mark O'Mahony - 6.5
(13 games, 3 goals) Initially viewed as the man to stand-in for Colby Bishop and responded with two goals in his opening three starts. However, following the return of Bishop ahead of schedule and the Brighton man missing two months with a side strain sustained at Swansea in November, he’s barely had a look in. There was a superb finish at Oxford in February to seal a 2-0 win, but O’Mahony played just three times after that - and none of the last five games after Coventry. Photo: Jason Brown