Danny Cowley was certainly active in the transfer market in the weeks leading up to the new season.
So he has been pleasantly surprised to see so many of Pompey’s new faces make a bright start to life on the south coast.
The side remain unbeaten after four games, which includes a Carabao Cup success at Championship outfit Cardiff.
But Cowley knows that nothing has been achieved yet and is looking to keep building momentum when Cambridge visit for a midweek contest.
The Blues boss said: “We’ve enjoyed a solid start and when you’re away for three of the first four games, remaining unbeaten is a real positive.
“There have also been three successive clean sheets – which bodes well – and we’re carrying a goal threat.
“We’re a group that came together towards the back-end of pre-season, particularly in attack, so it’s a real positive that they’ve started so well.
"We’ve enjoyed a solid start and when you’re away for three of the first four games, remaining unbeaten is a real positive."
“But we’re very respectful of the fact that it’s very early days and now we have two big home games coming up, starting with Cambridge.
“It’s a privilege for us to play at Fratton Park, particularly in midweek for a game that’s under the floodlights.
“There’s not a better place to watch football, in my opinion, and I know everyone in our squad is looking forward to it.”
Pompey’s opponents have also made a positive start to the new campaign, with six points collected from the opening three games.
Cowley said: “There’s a lot to like about them and Mark Bonner has done a wonderful job, first to get them promoted and then to be competitive in League One.
“It’s a team with a clear identity and at the top end of the pitch, there are four or five who can score 10-plus in the league.
“We have to understand how tough it will be and won’t underestimate Cambridge, so we have to show energy, purpose and aggression.
“If we do that then we know we’ll engage our supporters and they can have a positive effect our performance.”