That means there’s enough water under the bridge for Championship managers and pundits to form an opinion of John Mousinho’s side this term, as they look primed to emerge from a testing opening.
So, as we pause for the international break, we reflect on what figures around the second tiler have been saying about the Blues, as Fratton outsiders offer a revealing insight on the campaign to date.
5. Neil Harris
‘It is a brilliant football ground. It’s a football club that belongs in the Championship, for sure. It has a strong, heritage, pedigree and history as a football club. ‘I’ve been fortunate to play at Portsmouth many times and manage there in great atmospheres with big crowds. ‘It’s good to have Portsmouth back in the Championship. They did extremely well to win League One last season and I think they’ll be a strong outfit in the Championship.’ | Getty Images
6. Rob Edwards
';I think they can mix the play up well; they can be direct and with Lang they are powerful they will try and play at a tempo and have a go at us. ‘It’s a really difficult game against a team that are playing well at the moment and are well up for it.’ Photo: David Horn
7. Michael Carrick
'They’ve had a tough start on paper and it has been a tough start for them, but they’ve gone to Leeds and scored three goals and put in a good performance against Luton. ‘Credit to the manager and team to come to a new league, approach it in the way they have and attack in the way they have. ‘Their play is attacking, expansive and they get a lot of bodies forward. They’ve approached it well.’ | Getty Images
8. Not The Top 20's Ali Maxwell
'It's just so clear to me, even as they keep failing to win their first game of the season, that this isn't one of those bad runs where a manager has lost his grip on the team and they don't know how to play," 'They are having spells in games where they are more than competitive, sometimes they are even the better side, during an incredibly difficult fixture list. 'I was pleased to see John Mousinho and Richard Hughes given new contracts, it was a show of confidence and commitment from the club that I think is merited. 'As far as I can see as well, the fan base are sticking with it and understanding of the situation. 'I think what they achieved last season, the more it fades into the rear-view mirror, the more people might slightly take it for granted, but that was a hell of a job from all involved and merits them having a longer shot at the Championship that other clubs and boards would give them. 'It was a good performance from them, that's what stood out for me.' | NTT20