If many Pompey fans were expecting another play-off failure, another promotion miss, to be followefd by news of big changes, then so far they will have been disappointed.

Kenny Jackett has said he wants to be at helm for a fourth League One campaign come the start of 2020-21 - and there is no indication from the top that anyone in the boardroom is thinking differently.

Some will think that is right, especially in a climate when no-one can be too sure what will happen to football club budgets post-pandemic, but others will be frustrated they are in for more of the same next season.

Chief executive Mark Catlin issued a statement vis the club website in which he said everyone at the club was feeling pain at the 5-4 penalty shootour defeat at Oxford that spelled the end of another season's promotion hopes.

He said: "Words cannot express how myself and others are feeling at the club today. After waiting so long and fighting for football’s return, last night’s result was tough to take.

"Your support throughout the season has, as always, been superb. We are devastated that we weren’t able to deliver the promotion you deserve and that we have all worked so hard for.

"Having gone down to the changing room following last night’s game, I can assure you that it was just as sombre and emotional as the living rooms of our passionate and loyal fans will have been. There were tears, pain, frustration, and that was just from me!

"Our players, management, staff, directors, fans and everyone who loves this club will be going through the same rollercoaster of emotions today and through the coming weeks.

"We pride ourselves on having the most passionate fans, and passion is a feeling replicated in equal strength, both when experiencing success and dealing with failure. It works both ways.

"I have spent most of last night and the early hours of this morning stripping out the facts from the emotion and reflecting on the 2019/20 campaign as a whole.

"I can point towards great cup runs and an unbeaten home record, along with many more statistical positives, but we would swap it all just to have a shot in the Play-Off Final to gain promotion to the Championship.

"I write this while still hurting, but I also understand the need to reflect. Today is the first day of the 2020/21 season, which could be one of the most challenging in the history of football as a result of COVID-19. On behalf of everybody at the club, I thank you wholeheartedly for your fantastic support."

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