In the Championship, Andy Cullen has acknowledged that Pompey is in for “tough times.”The Fratton Park team is excited about starting their first second-tier season in 12 years, according to the Blues CEO, despite the possibility.The League One winners from the previous season, in fact, are looking forward to testing their mettle against more established Championship teams and clubs with larger budgets—including those from recent Premier League days—and superior skill.This is an opportunity to build on Pompey’s remarkable rise under Messrs. Mousinho and Hughes and get closer to England’s premier league, another old haunt. But the necessity for Pompey’s patience is keeping suggestions of “doing an Ipswich” at bay.Pompey’s 2024–25 campaign begins on Saturday at 12.30 p.m. with a trip to Leeds United, the team who lost in the play-off finals the previous season. Since winning League One, the Blues have added seven new players, but they come to Elland Road off the back of two losses in their last three preseason games, including a loss to Charlton on Saturday.Key areas of the pitch still require reinforcement, and some Fratton supporters have already expressed concerns about what may await the Blues when the season finally gets underway.Cullen is obviously lot more confident in the process, but he still recognises the hurdles that lie ahead.Using FourFourTwo to outline the goals for the upcoming season, the Pompey manager stated: “Everyone will be looking at Ipswich for inspiration.”We’re patient; this season will not be easy; the Championship is a significant step up in difficulty. Clubs with significantly more financial resources and parachute payments than us are our competitors.”However, we’re upbeat and excited about the challenge. Our objectives are to compete, finish as high as we can, and keep moving the club ahead. Our goal is to want to be like the Premier League. We won’t be participating in the Championship merely to meet requirements.