The three Shrewsbury survivors which demonstrate Portsmouth's successful evolution
Just three Blues players can be certain of facing Shrewsbury in Saturday’s rematch.
Pompey have come a long way since that opening-day 1-0 defeat at New Meadow.
Certainly Kenny Jackett is now aware of his best team and the most effective way of performing, a belief backed up by just three defeats in their last 25 matches.
Of that side which lined up against the Shrews in August, only Christian Burgess, Tom Naylor and Ronan Curtis can be assured of their starting spots.
In addition, Marcus Harness and John Marquis remain in the frame, although may find themselves on the bench.
Still, heading into Saturday’s encounter, Pompey’s side will reflect how teams and personnel can evolve during a long campaign.
Jackett said: ‘Looking at the opening day against Shrewsbury, you select your best team on that particular day.
‘Then circumstances such as form and probably injury and suspension definitely come into it.
‘There obviously can be differences from the first week in August and halfway through February, I will be surprised if there isn’t in teams.
‘It needs to evolve and needs to improve – and has to do that pretty quickly.
‘I definitely think we know our best team and there are certain positions where there’s quite close competition and others maybe not as close.
‘That’s always going to be the nature of it. You're then looking at who is in the best form or, in a period where we are we have six Tuesdays on the trot including the Saturday, you want some fresh energy somewhere along the line, not necessarily this Saturday.’
Ryan Giles’ stunning strike from long distance settled the last fixture between the sides.
The loanee from Wolves has since moved onto Coventry, for who he was named on the bench in Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat for Pompey.
Arriving on his Football League debut, it was Giles’ only goal in 25 appearances for the Shrews.
Jackett added: ‘It was a disappointing result at Shrewsbury, a tight game, there was nothing much in it really.
‘But they scored an exceptional goal and it was decisive on that day.’