He had only made two league appearances for Pompey before the start of the current campaign.
But 2017/18 is already proving to be a breakthrough season for academy graduate Adam May.
The teenage midfielder has more than doubled his total tally of Blues outings since the summer and started each of the past eight games.
And May knows that he will have to keep improving if he wants to remain a regular in the starting line-up.
“I’ve been around the side for quite a few years now, so I’m hoping this can be my season,” he says in the official matchday magazine for today’s clash with Fleetwood.
“It’s always going to take a bit to time to break into the starting line-up and you have to remain patient.
"It’s always going to take a bit to time to break into the starting line-up and you have to remain patient."
“We’re not even two months into this campaign, so it’s great that I’ve been able to double my total and I’m looking to get a big tally up.
“But there are a lot of talented players in that central midfield area and some more young guys out on loan, so I can’t afford to take anything for granted.”
To read the full interview – where May also talks about his time with Sutton last season and the large number of youngsters currently in the team – pick up a copy of the magazine from programme sellers around the ground.
Also in issue five, Stuart O’Keefe reveals his favourite things, while Jack Whatmough is next to take the ‘Home & Away’ quiz.
We also take an in-depth look at Fleetwood, while there are exclusive columns from Mark Catlin, Kenny Jackett and Brett Pitman.
All this and much, much more in a packed 84 pages is available for just £3.