Pompey have come close to reaching the Championship in each of the past three seasons.
So new signing Connor Ogilvie is hoping they can make it fourth time lucky at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
The defender – who left Gillingham at the end of last term – has put pen to paper on a two-year deal.
And with the competitive action starting for the Blues at Fleetwood on Saturday, he is aiming high on the south coast.
Ogilvie said: “I spoke with the gaffer and liked his ideas and what he wanted to do with this club to get it back to where it should be.
“I spent four years at Gillingham and really enjoyed my time there, but wanted a new challenge – and this seemed like the perfect place.
"The fans here are special and the manager spoke about ‘Project Championship’, which is something we can hopefully achieve."
“League One is tough and it will take a lot to get out of it – with some big teams – but I feel we can do that here.
“The fans here are special and the manager spoke about ‘Project Championship’, which is something we can hopefully achieve.
“I’m looking forward to Saturday now – you want games coming thick and fast to settle into a new club.
“I play left-back or left-sided centre-half and enjoy both. I also like to pop up in the other box and get a few goals.”
Ogilvie came through the ranks at Tottenham before joining the Gillis – initially on loan – in the summer of 2017.
He said: “It’s certainly not a bad place to be schooled at. I was there from the age of eight and had a great time.
“I went out on loan a few times before realising it was my time to leave and pave my own way in my football career.”