Ryan Schofield has watched from the bench as Pompey have made a solid start to the League One campaign.
It has been a positive start for his fellow keeper Will Norris, who also arrived on the south coast earlier in the summer.
The man with the number one on his back has kept three clean sheets and conceded just one goal from four matches.
But Schofield is enjoying training alongside with the person he is competing with for a spot between the sticks.
He said: “I’ve been brought in to work closely with Will and push him – and he’s obviously started the season well.
“I can’t fault him because he’s been absolutely brilliant with me and I like to think it’s exactly the same for him.
"Every club will have number twos and threes, but we’re a different breed as goalkeepers and nobody spits their dummy out."
“We’re all pushing together as a team and it’s not really about the individuals. It’s great that everyone’s going in the same direction.
“Every club will have number twos and threes, but we’re a different breed as goalkeepers and nobody spits their dummy out.
“The harder I work, the harder Will works and the better we all become. It’s got to be about what’s best for the club.”
Schofield was handed a debut for Pompey in the Carabao Cup victory at Forest Green earlier this month.
Now he is hoping to feature at Fratton Park for the first time when Fulham under-21s visit for an EFL Trophy group stage contest on Tuesday evening.
The 23-year-old said: “If the gaffer gives me the nod, then it will be nice to get out there and you can see what the crowd can do at Fratton Park.
“It’s a special place to play football and if I’m fortunate enough to be selected, then it’s something I’ll look forward to.”