Another Portsmouth Christmas number one - but this year offers more belief of Championship outcome

It’s an indicator rather than cast-iron certainty, the accomplishment of a notable landmark to hearten the Fratton faithful.

Nobody is suggesting promotion to the Championship is achieved at Christmas, yet it offers a tantalising portent to the future.

After all, sides bottom at Christmas in any division are traditionally condemned to relegation, albeit in slightly more predictable circumstances.

So here Pompey are, top of League One for the festive period. Still with another 27 league fixtures to fulfil, not even close to halfway, but residing at the summit nonetheless.

It’s a lofty standing they last occupied just two years ago, which despite such a position of strength didn’t actually turn out that well.

For Blues followers, such omens are unlikely to be embraced enthusiastically second time round. You don’t even require long memories, it was that recent.

However, on this occasion, Kenny Jackett’s side feels different. It possesses more swagger and less functionality, which is heartening in itself.

Granted, some servants from the 2018-19 campaign remain, yet their footballing product is unrecognisable, though no less effective.

Today, the Blues are League One’s joint-top scorers, armed with the second-best defensive record, and, perhaps inevitably, the highest goal difference by a considerable margin.

And it’s that goal difference which edges them ahead of Lincoln for top spot at present, the sides sharing 35 points.

With a coronavirus outbreak in the camp ruling Pompey out of action for the next two matches, they will be overtaken during such inactivity.

Still, in the present, their position offers a beacon of hope. Certainly enough to get normally phlegmatic skipper and very occasional Tweeter, Tom Naylor, excited.

Having risen from 21st at the end of September, the Blues and their manager deserve immense credit, even if Christmas represents nothing more than a pause for breath during the long trek.

In Naylor’s case, he can draw reasoned comparisons, being a survivor from two years ago, along with Craig MacGillivray, Lee Brown, Jack Whatmough, Ronan Curtis and Ben Close.

For a reminder, in Christmas 2018 Pompey were four points clear of second-placed Luton, with an impressive return of 51 points from 23 games.

That consisted of 15 victories and just two defeats, a mighty haul which ultimately would earn just fourth place and a play-off semi-final defeat to Sunderland amid meek surrender.

Incidentally, Jackett’s men would win 10 and lose six of their final 23 league matches that term, amassing a further 37 points.

Luton went up as champions – six points clear of Pompey – with a Barnsley side sixth at Christmas claiming the runners-up spot.

It was a Fratton Park implosion influenced by Ben Thompson’s return to Millwall, Jack Whatmough’s serious injury, Oli Hawkins’ short-term absence, ineffective January loan signings and the toil of a club-record 62 fixtures.

Enough of the painful reflection, though. As previously mentioned, this current team possesses a distinctly different feel.

The previous incarnation had a penchant for effectiveness, grinding out victories with admirable efficiency, yet lacking pulse-racing credentials.

It was the hallmark of a good side, we believed, winning ugly when not performing particularly fluent. Well-drilled, dripping in practicality.

Pompey topped League One until the end of January 2019, deposed while on FA Cup fourth-round duty against QPR.

Once inhibiting factors intruded, they failed to occupy the top two during the remaining three-and-a-half months of the season.