SEAN: IT CAN BE RAGS TO RICHES

PORTSMOUTH’S early season form has been the perfect ointment for last season’s play-off semi-final heartache – and defender Sean Raggett is confident they will secure a coveted automatic promotion spot this time round.

- Adam Le Roux

The former Norwich man was on loan at Fratton Park last season and part of the Pompey side that agonisingly went down to Oxford on penalties after finishing fifth in the league – leaving the south coast side to endure a ninth consecutive season outside the second tier.

After that bitter disappointment, Kenny Jackett’s side started the season sluggishly – securing just two points from their opening three matches, before a 4-2 victory over Burton kick-started a run of only two defeats in their last 11 League One matches.

That has seen them fly up the table and they are now only three points behind Peterborough, who currently hold the second automatic promotion spot.

Pompey are starting to look like a side on a mission and as they prepare for an important double-header against Black pool and then Posh this week, Raggett is adamant they’re right on track to avoid the play-off lottery this time around.