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.
13. Danny Rohl
‘It will be a good atmosphere. We have a lot of away supporters and this is unbelievable, Friday night, always sold out, they give us lots of energy.” Portsmouth have shown different faces over the last two games, but for us, we go there wanting to play our game, with our principles, we have a lot of energy. Sometimes you have not a good feeling after a game but we must look to the performance. ‘For me, the cup is not half empty, it’s half full and with this mindset we go into the next games. There is no doubt from my side, from my team, we believe in our direction. The next wins and goals will come because we work so hard for everything.’ Photo: Steve Ellis
14. Wayne Rooney
‘Portsmouth are an aggressive team. They go man for man and try to make it difficult for you. There was little things throughout the game which make a big difference. ‘It was a very difficult task for Andre (Gray). He's battling with the centre-backs but I think Portsmouth fatigued towards the end. They only made the one change (from the 1-1 draw away to Hull City on Saturday). The decision on my starting line-up against Leeds only pays off if you win the next game, so I think it was the right decision I made.' | Getty Images
15. Don Goodman
‘I'm now looking at their next four or five fixtures, it's vital that they get their first win quickly. ‘They need it and need points on the board. Pompey face Oxford, QPR and Sheffield Wednesday and will be relieved to be playing, with all due respect, lesser opposition who won't be challenging at the top end of the division. ‘As long as they aren't psychologically damaged from failing to win any of their seven games, I'm sure we'll start seeing Pompey pick up points soon.' Photo: Barrington Coombs
16. Paul Heckingbottom
'We were bullied, that could be your headline. We were just totally bullied in the first half. Of course, it’s surprising. It’s unacceptable. It’s surprising in the fact that we knew Portsmouth had changed how they play - a lot more direct over the last few games. But, they compete for second balls and put a lot of balls into the box. That had been our preparation and we looked like rabbits in headlights first half - totally one-sided. 'You saw the reaction in the second half, after shouting at them. Three changes, yes we changed shape slightly but we were bullied because we were outrun, outfought, outcompeted. That was set-plays, balls into our box from the top end of the pitch and middle of the pitch. I felt (at 2-1) we were in it and then we tried to force it, with some more subs at the end. I felt we lost that momentum and that impetus. 'That first half probably explains to me a bit more why it has been eight months (since a league away win). 'We have seen (Portsmouth’s directness) in more recent times and we spoke about how they would target this game. But, we targeted it and the team we picked was for that. The instructions were for that and that was our undoing... it was. 'Nothing pretty about it, but you’ve got to credit them. They imposed themselves from corners and bullied us. They put extra bodies in (for the two goals from corners).' | CameraSport - Shaun Brooks