The club is only going in one direction - Bishop
- Published
Portsmouth striker Colby Bishop is already looking forward to another year in the Championship and says they will be a "very strong team" next season.
After winning just one of their opening 14 games and sitting five points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table, Pompey picked up 45 points in the next 32 matches to finish 16th.
John Mousinho's side were on a 64-point pace from 9 November onwards, which would have seen them finish in the top 10 if they had carried that form through the whole season.
It was a run that coincided with Bishop's return to the side following heart surgery.
"Obviously, I missed quite a big chunk of it and didn't come back in the greatest place, so if you'd told me then that we'd finish 16th, then I'd have snapped your hand off," Bishop told BBC Radio Solent.
"It's down to the lads and the staff who worked really hard and reaped the rewards."
Bishop ended the season as Portsmouth's league top goalscorer for a third consecutive campaign with 11 goals in 32 appearances.
"After missing a big chunk, I didn't know what was going to happen or how many you're going to get," he said.
"But I'm happy to get top goalscorer - three seasons as top goalscorer."
The 28-year-old, who extended his contract at Fratton Park in February until June 2028, believes Pompey can improve on their league position next season.
"Last year was a rocky start, so I'm looking forward to having a fresh start, coming back fit and seeing where this team can take it," Bishop added.
"If we have a fully fit team next year with some of the lads we've got and a couple more signings, I think we'll be a very strong team.
"I think the club has moved forward so much since I first came here, and behind the scenes, they're still trying to make it so much better, so I think it's only going to go in one direction."