There have not been miles of running up and down hills in the opening days of pre-season training.
But new signing Ellis Harrison believes Pompey’s method of preparing for the new campaign will pay dividends.
The 25-year-old striker is pleased that footballs made an early appearance during the Blues’ summer workouts.
And Harrison feels that is they right approach as they strive to be ready for the start of the League One action.
He said: “It’s been a tough start to training, but I’ve been at other clubs where it’s just pure running to start things off.
“But we’ve been doing work with footballs already here and I actually think you get a lot more out of that.
"That’s why pre-season is so important – because you want to feel good when you’re entering the pitch."
“Of course we’ve done some running – and that’s needed – but when we’re out there on Saturday, we’re doing it with a ball at our feet.
“We all need to build our fitness and that’s going to happen over the next few weeks as we work towards the new campaign.
“That’s why pre-season is so important – because you want to feel good when you’re entering the pitch.”
Harrison has only been with his new team-mates for a little over a week, but it has not taken him long to settle in.
He said: “I’ve had (former Bristol Rovers colleague) Lee Brown taking full advantage of me being the new guy.
“I used to batter him every day for about six years, so he can enjoy his moment for the next few weeks until I bed in properly.”