Darren Anderton issues Portsmouth FC warning concerning Ipswich Town and relegation | OneFootball

Portsmouth earned promotion to the Championship last season by clinching the League One title

Darren Anderton believes it is too soon for Portsmouth to be thinking about following in Ipswich Town's footsteps by challenging for Premier League promotion.

John Mousinho guided Pompey to the League One title last season, clinching top spot by five points ahead of Derby County.

The South Coast club will be competing in the second tier of English football for the first time since 2012, having been in the third division since 2017.

Mousinho has earned a lot of praise for his role in leading the club to the Championship, with Portsmouth having won 97 points on their way to promotion.

Ipswich Town’s back-to-back promotion last season has raised questions as to whether that feat can be repeated this year by the likes of Portsmouth or Derby.

Anderton weighs in on Portsmouth’s Championship chances

Anderton is hopeful that Portsmouth can have a successful first campaign back in the Championship but believes avoiding relegation is a more sensible goal than trying to emulate Ipswich by chasing another promotion.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, via William Hill, he said: “I think promotion is optimistic for Portsmouth at this stage, but avoiding relegation shouldn’t be something they are mainly focused on.

“I believe Portsmouth can have a good season in the Championship and enjoy being back in the division.

“I believe they are good enough to avoid relegation and show why they won League One and perform well next season.”

Mousinho was appointed at Fratton Park in January 2023, taking on his first role in management by replacing Danny Cowley.

He led the team to an eighth place finish in League One in his first half-season in charge, missing out on a top six finish by seven points.

The 38-year-old has overseen 41 wins from his 76 games in charge of the squad, with a win percentage of 53.95.

Pompey will now be hoping to maintain their place in the second division beyond one year, with their long-term aim being a return to the Premier League.

Portsmouth’s summer plans

The summer transfer window will be key to the club’s preparation for life back in the Championship.

Portsmouth have already added a couple of names to their first team squad, including Oxford United’s Josh Murphy and Barnsley’s Jordan Williams.

The window will be open until 30 August, giving the club plenty of time to make further additions, with pre-season set to begin soon.

Pompey also learned this week that they will open their league campaign with a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United on 10 August.

Portsmouth will be a threat in the Championship

Mousinho has done an excellent job to finally get promotion for Portsmouth after a number of close calls.

Their early business in the summer is an indicator of their ambition, moving quickly to secure two shrewd signings that will strengthen their options.

Pompey should be safe from relegation next season, but it will be a very competitive Championship next year.

It is too soon to be thinking about promotion to the top flight, as the back-to-back promotions achieved by Ipswich over the last years is a very difficult feat to try and repeat.