Jay Mingi had not started a single league game for Pompey until October’s victory at Forest Green.
But after producing an impressive display that day, he has become a regular face in the midfield engine room.
Injuries to Tom Lowery, Joe Morell, Marlon Pack and Louis Thompson provided a chance for the 22-year-old to impress.
And after grabbing it with both hands, Mingi knows that he has to maintain those performance levels if he wants to keep his place.
He said: “I wasn’t really expecting it, but the gaffer has always told me to be ready for the opportunity.
“The body has been getting used to it, although it’s normal to feel a bit fatigued in these situations and the more I play, the better I feel.
“The schedule has been relentless and so you have to make sure you’re doing all the right things on off days.
"I’m just living the moment. After getting through the trials and tribulations, I’m thankful to be where I am."
“You need to go to the pool, do recovery work, eat healthily and sleep, but I’ve enjoyed it because it’s what I’ve worked so hard for.
“I’m just living the moment. After getting through the trials and tribulations, I’m thankful to be where I am.
“Everyone in this squad gets on so well and it meant that stepping into the team was a much easier thing.
“There’s healthy competition in this squad and it’s beneficial because it means you’ve got to keep your standards high.
“We’ll go to Wycombe on Sunday and know what to expect from them. We have to make sure that we’re ready.”
There is already excitement building on Portsea Island after Pompey were handed an FA Cup third round trip to Tottenham in the new year.
Mingi said: “It’s a crazy opportunity. I didn’t see the draw, but as soon as it happened, I got a lot of phone calls from my family.
“It’s a chance for us to show the world what we’re capable of on one of the biggest stages in football.”