There is still more than a month to go before Pompey take to the pitch for the first game of the new League One campaign.
And Danny Cowley is looking to use that time productively to get his side in the best possible condition for another long season.
The squad returned for training on Monday morning, with testing followed by fitness work and then a session where the footballs came out.
It was an enjoyable occasion for Cowley, who was pleased to see the players return for work in good condition.
The Blues boss said: “There was a good opportunity in the morning to speak to everyone in the football department – the first team and the academy.
“We spoke about the journey ahead, what we stand for and what we want to be. We also set some individual and collective goals.
“Then the boys had some tough testing before we were able to have a technical session, which provided some good physical, technical and tactical returns.
“Pre-season is such an important time and we have 40 days, so having double sessions is pretty normal.
"We spoke about the journey ahead, what we stand for and what we want to be. We also set some individual and collective goals."
“You’re doing longer days, so it also gives the players a chance to come together and bond. Those human relationships grow over time.
“They looked in good shape, but have had bespoke off-season programmes, which are designed to develop their aerobic capacity.
“In the past six weeks they’ve probably run somewhere near 120k – gone are the days when you use this time to get them fit.
“Now they already come back fit for the start of the pre-season and for us it’s about sharpening their tools.”
Cowley is also working behind the scenes on bringing in new players to strengthen his squad ahead of the League One opener.
He said: “We’re short in some areas of the pitch, although it’s fair to say we’re in a better position than this stage last year.
“There’s definitely work for us to do, but it’s exciting to bring in new players and we’re clear on our targets.
“We have clarity over the profile and positions of the guys we want and also their attributes off the pitch to complement those we already have in the building.
“Transfer windows aren’t always straightforward and we need to be patient – although that’s not a virtue I was blessed with!”