It might not have been the most comfortable of victories.
But Pompey’s 1-0 defeat of Luton to open the 2018/19 campaign at Fratton Park was good enough for Jack Whatmough.
Jamal Lowe was teed-up by debutant Ronan Curtis to net the only goal of the game during the first half.
Whatmough then played a key role in a superb defensive display that ensured the Hatters left the south coast empty-handed.
The centre-back said: “For me personally it was a perfect day because we took three points and also kept a clean sheet.
“Of course you want it to be a lot more comfortable and we did make life difficult for ourselves at times by not keeping the ball.
"We’ve worked hard defensively in pre-season and that showed."
“Luton put us under a lot of pressure in the second half and it was tough, but we’ve worked hard defensively in pre-season and that showed.
“We knew when to stay and when to squeeze up – and that was from the keeper all the way up to the front man. It was a team performance.
“They had a lot of chances and hit the woodwork twice, while Nathan Thompson made an unbelievable clearance.
“But that’s when you have to stay together as a defensive unit and with our pace going forward, we’re a real danger on the counter-attack.
“Yes, you want a 3-0 win on the opening day if you can get it, but in the end, so what? We’ve got the points and have something to build on.”
Whatmough excelled alongside Matt Clarke at the heart of Pompey’s defence and is pleased with their developing partnership.
He said: “We worked together towards the end of last season and I’m enjoying it. He’s a brilliant player and we’ve got an understanding.”