Some might view the Emirates FA Cup as a distraction to the bread and butter of the league campaign.
Ahead of a first round contest with Harrow Borough on Saturday, it is fair to say that Danny Cowley is not one of those people.
He has enjoyed plenty of success in the competition, notably leading Lincoln to becoming the first non-league side for more than a century to reach the quarter-finals.
And he will be fielding a strong Pompey side against seventh tier opposition to shorten the odds of an upset at Fratton Park.
The Blues boss said: “It’s the greatest cup competition in the world and a privilege to be involved in it because it has the potential to change your life.
“We’ve had some great runs in it with Concord Rangers and Lincoln, so we really want to progress on Saturday.
“We’ll be respectful of Harrow – they’re a side I know well, having played and managed against them numerous times.
“They’ve produced lots of players who have gone on to have careers in the Football League and their manager Steve Baker has done a really good job.
"With regards to selection, we’ll pick the best team we can in order to win the game. It gets the full focus from us."
“There have been six wins from their past six games and four of those have seen clean sheets, so we know that we’ll be seeing their ‘a-game’.
“It’s up to us to play with a real focus and determination, as well as humility. If we show those qualities, then we’ll get the result we want.
“With regards to selection, we’ll pick the best team we can in order to win the game. It gets the full focus from us.”
Pompey have a few players in the treatment room, with Ryan Tunnicliffe set for a spell on the sidelines after hurting his hamstring.
Cowley said: “We’re picking up injuries left, right and centre at the moment, but when one door closes, another one opens.
“Ryan’s injury has to settle a bit more and we’re waiting to have an ultrasound scan, which will help inform us about what happens next.
“There are a group of players who will have a real opportunity and it’s up to someone to put their hand up and take it.
“We’ve got one or two who need a little bit of TLC and there are nine subs on Saturday, so we’ll see a few young players involved.”