Portsmouth will look to go one better next year after their season ended in play-off heartbreak.

After flirting with the automatic spots for much of the year, Pompey settled for play-offs but lost to a late Plymouth winner at Home Park.

Paul Cook will hope that Portsmouth can be a bit more consistent this year and win promotion. He has a very able core of players who are more than capable of firing his side back to League One.

Pompey fans have suffered an extremely painful few years whilst South Coast rivals Southampton and Bournemouth have thrived.

Pompey fans will be hoping that their top players help fire them back up the league tables now that they have a bit more financial stability, and have halted their freefall from 2008 FA Cup glory to the verge of non-league or liquidation a couple of years ago.

Here are FOUR key players to end the rot and bring a return to the good times for Pompey fans…

 

Christian Burgess

Christian Burgessd

Christian Burgess arrived last summer from Peterborough for an undisclosed fee and has been a revelation.

The towering 6’5’’ centre half demonstrates composure and skill on the ball which is uncharacteristic of his build.

Burgess is also a danger from set pieces and is a nightmare to mark.

The 24-year-old had a strange route into football as he was scouted by Middlesbrough whilst captaining the University of Birmingham’s football side.

A first class degree later and Burgess is excelling on the football pitch too and should kick on next year as he enters his prime years.

 

Carl Baker 

Carl Baker Carl Baker d

Portsmouth fought off plenty of competition to land Carl Baker following his release from Milton Keynes.

The attacking midfielder played plenty of games in the Championship last year and was wanted by a number of other clubs in League One and League Two.

The 33-year-old spent the majority of his career at Coventry City, playing over 150 times for the Sky Blues in the league.

He arrives at Pompey with a high reputation, plenty of experience and a lot of talent.

 

Kyle Bennett

Kyle Bennett

Kyle Bennett does not always perform.

But when he is on form, he is inspirational.

He has the ability to beat players, deliver fantastic crosses and score goals.

The 25-year-old winger has pace which will trouble any full back in the league but he just needs to add some consistency to his game.

If he manages this, then the 5’5’’ wide man could turn in the performances which see Pompey competing at the top of the league.

 

Conor Chaplin

 

chaplin

Portsmouth fans will be hoping to see more of Conor Chaplin next season.

The 19-year-old academy graduate was mainly utilised as a substitute last year but has scored 9 goals in 39 appearances for Pompey already in his career.

The diminutive striker is a real handful for defences and you expect him to kick on next season.

With lots of game time, he could become one of the top scorers in the league and net the goals to fire Pompey to promotion.