Paddy Lane is beginning to show why Pompey paid a fee to bring him to the south coast back in January.
The reigning League One Young Player of the Year started just two of the first eight games since arriving from Fleetwood.
But he was selected for each of the three most recent fixtures – winning a penalty in last Saturday’s victory at Bristol Rovers.
And Lane credits Blues boss John Mousinho for helping him make his mark on the side in recent weeks.
The Northern Ireland international said: “It was a stop-start beginning, but I settled pretty quick and am loving it. I’m just hoping to keep playing like I have been lately.
“I’ve been working hard in training and want to stay in the team and try to keep impressing at the weekend.
"I’m only young and looking to learn off whoever I can. I’m like a sponge and just want to soak it all up."
“The lads have been great and I’ve got a gaffer who believes in me, so I want to keep going and take that into the remainder of the season.
“It’s not just me he’s been brilliant with – it’s everyone. He might be a new manager, but it doesn’t feel like that to me.
“I’m only young and looking to learn off whoever I can. I’m like a sponge and just want to soak it all up.”
Pompey’s recent run of good form has ignited talks of a play-off push, although Lane is just focusing on Saturday’s clash with Port Vale.
He said: “I don’t want to get too carried away, but we all believe in each other and if we get a positive result at the weekend, who knows what can happen.
“We’re in good form at the moment and everyone at the club is in high spirits, so we want to keep going.”