Joe Morrell and Ryley Towler were certainly the target of the Bristol Rovers boo boys at the Memorial Stadium.
The Pompey duo would have been expecting criticism having previously played for the home club’s city rivals.
So it made the celebrations that much sweeter following a 2-0 League One victory for the Blues.
Although Morrell was perhaps lucky not to be injured after being on the end of a nasty late challenge – and subsequent headbutt – from Jarell Quansah, who was sent off.
The Wales international said: “I wasn’t expecting it to be nice, but that kind of thing doesn’t bother me – in fact, it probably spurs me on.
“We’ve seen it at our place when former Southampton players visit and they probably get an even worse reception than Ryley and I got.
“Their guy has tried to break my leg and then when I’ve got up, he’s headbutted me. It was probably two red cards.
“They were probably frustrated that we were keeping the ball. I’ve been in that situation before, but have never made a challenge like that.
"Their guy has tried to break my leg and then when I’ve got up, he’s headbutted me. It was probably two red cards."
“Bristol Rovers is a difficult place to come and it was an awful pitch, so to leave with the win is all you can do.
“It’s always a good sign when you win games when you’re not playing your best – it’s what the best sides do.
“We’re certainly not there yet, but that’s the ambition for this club and we’ll keep taking each game as it comes.
“I don’t think the boys will miss me against Port Vale next week because our squad is good enough to deal with it.”
Morrell was full of praise for Colby Bishop, whose brace – the second coming from the spot – took his personally tally to 22 goals.
He said: “Colby has been the difference so many times this season – he’s a level above on a consistent basis. That’s difficult to find at this level.
“He plays well every week and brings so much. If he was ever out of the team, you would definitely notice the difference.
“When he’s adding goals, that’s absolutely fantastic, so hopefully he’ll be at the club for as long as I’m here.”