And just how impressive the Blues’ opening has been is underpinned by a series of facts and figures surrounding their performances to date.
There’s been a range of new records, English bests and eye-popping stats already recorded in a powerful first third of the 2023-24 campaign.
We’ve put outlined those records and number, which make mind-blowing reading to digest.
5. Assist king
The quality of Jack Sparkes’ left foot has been one of the delights of the season so far. Pompey have maximised the delivery of the summer signing from Exeter in both open play and set-piece scenarios. Sparkes’ first contribution arrived when assisting Colby Bishop’s winner against Exeter in August. Then as the playing time picked up - so did the supply. Fulham under-21s, Wycombe, Lincoln and Gillingham (two) produced assists. Throw in second assists and the total is 10 so far! Photo: Jason Brown
6. Magic Man
The Magic Man went has continued where he left out after his 24-goal maiden campaign at Fratton Park. It’s nine league goals to date including a run of six finishes in eight league games, to leave the striker third in the goal charts behind Devante Cole and Alfie May. As John Mousinho has been at pains to point out, it’s not just Bishop’s goals which have been crucial - the £500,000 Accrington signing is a superb exponent of the striker’s art of leading the line. Photo: Jason Brown
7. Best defence
It’s 15 league games played and just 10 goals conceded with Pompey’s defence comfortably the meanest in League One. Regan Poole and Conor Shaughnessy have been a revelation in the middle of the back line, with Will Norris magnificent behind them. It’s been about defending from the front, however, with everyone from Colby Bishop back putting in the hard yards out of possession - seven clean sheets to date being the outcome. Photo: Jason Brown
8. Points per game
Pompey’s 35-point total in League One leaves them three points clear at the top of the table and six points in front of Bolton, who sit outside of the automatic promotion slots. Convert that into points per game (PPG) and the Blues have hit an outstanding PPG of 2.33 - well ahead of the two points per game total generally associated with League One promotion. Put another way, if Pompey were to continue this form for the whole campaign they’d finish on 107 points. That would smash Wolves’ 103 point League One best - and break Reading’s 106 EFL record in the Championship back in 2006. Photo: Jason Brown