Pompey playing at home against Exeter conjures up plenty of fond memories for John Mousinho.
Just over 24 hours after being appointed head coach back in January, he was leading the side in a League One contest with the Grecians.
And it was a successful start to life in the dug-out, as Marlon Pack and Joe Morrell struck in the second half to secure a 2-0 victory.
Now with both sides making an unbeaten start to the current campaign, Mousinho is pleased to welcome Exeter back to Fratton Park.
The Blues boss said: “It was my first match in charge of the club last season and they gave us a tough test at Fratton Park, so I expect more of the same.
“That seems like an age ago and it was a complete whirlwind going into the game – one minute I’m accepting the job and the next I’m standing on the touchline at Fratton Park!
“It all felt a bit bizarre and it was difficult for me to be able to take a step back and digest everything that was happening.
“But now here we are more than six months on and it’s good to pause and reflect on what that period was like. It was an incredible moment of my life and I’ll always look back with fond memories.
“Exeter have started well and I think they’ve evolved since then, as we have. We’ll need to be at our best.
"Here we are more than six months on and it’s good to pause and reflect on what that period was like."
“It’s been a good start. We’re very early on in the journey and it’s pleasing that we’ve made decisions with the club’s long-term future in mind.”
Mousinho has been pleased with the contribution made by summer signing Kusini Yengi, who has already netted four times this season.
He said: “When you score that many in such a short period, it does give you a real headache in terms of team selection.
“He’s hit the ground running and has scored four goals from one start and a couple of substitute appearances.
“Everything seems to be falling for him at the moment and the pleasing thing is that he won the penalty on Saturday and probably would have scored even if hadn’t been fouled.
“You can have an adjustment process when you come over here and at the moment he’s taken to it like a duck to water.
“It’s the same with Christian Saydee, who hasn’t been playing as an out-and-out centre-forward, but has impressed enough to be challenging, so it’s a great problem for us to have.”
Mousinho’s selection dilemma is made more difficult by the fact that Tom Lowery is currently the only senior player sidelined.
He said: “Tom’s going in to see the specialist on Tuesday, so we’ll have a bit more news on him after that, but Paddy Lane is back in contention after returning to training.”