Portsmouth FC could thrive if 23-year-old can emulate Ipswich Town promotion star in 2024/25: View | OneFootball

Portsmouth are looking to solidify themselves in the Championship after an impressive League One title-winning campaign, but in order to secure their second tier status moving forward, boss John Mousinho will need his current crop of players to step up, while he also looks to bring new arrivals to the fold in the transfer window.

Although there is a notable gulf in class between the third and second tiers, Pompey supporters can look to the likes of Sunderland, who landed a Championship play-off spot in 2023, after earning promotion from League One just one year before, as evidence that they can have a successful 2024/25 campaign.

But there is no better example than Ipswich Town that it is possible to thrive in the second tier at the first time of asking, as the Tractor Boys completed the remarkable feat of back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League last season.

Pompey cannot realistically hope to emulate the almost unfathomable achievement of Kieran McKenna's men, but they can look to the Suffolk outfit as inspiration as they look to produce strong performances in the Championship.

One Fratton Park-based player in particular who should be encouraged by the Tractor Boys' exploits is Jack Sparkes, who can view Leif Davis' heroics as evidence that he can step up in the Championship.

Pompey could thrive if Sparkes can follow Davis blueprint

Ipswich left-back Davis played an absolutely vital role in his side's back-to-back promotion success, as he created 14 assists during the 2022/23 League One season, and 18 in the Championship last campaign.

Although Pompey's Sparkes is not quite as productive from the left-back position as Davis, he is still an exciting player in an attacking sense, who contributed six assists towards his club's League One title triumph, and eight across all competitions.

If the 23-year-old can improve his productivity upon his arrival in the second tier at a similar rate to that of Davis, and provide double figures in terms of assists, then Pompey could be on course to land a top-half spot, which would be a very impressive achievement for a newly-promoted side with a young manager.

Furthermore, Sparkes is still a relatively young player, so his best football could be yet to come, especially while he remains under the stewardship of exciting boss Mousinho.

Pompey will also hope Colby Bishop can step up

If Pompey are able to make an impact on the Championship in 2024/25, it goes without saying that scoring goals will be vital towards their cause.

While Sparkes can help his side by providing assists from a defensive position, Mousinho will look to Colby Bishop as the man who can score the goals, which could solidify the Hampshire club's second-tier status.

The 27-year-old scored 21 goals in League One last season, and if he can remain as dangerous in the final third in the Championship, then Pompey shouldn't face any serious relegation concerns.

Bishop has never played in the second tier before, but as he nears the peak of his career following two of his best-ever seasons in front of goal, he could be ready to make the step up.

If he and Sparkes thrive in the Championship next season, Portsmouth may find themselves battling in the top half of the table and perhaps even higher.