It may well be early No 1 at Christmas is Days, but being so heartening
Pompey have been here before, of course. More Spice Girls than Mr Blobby in terms of Christmas number one regularity.
It’s an indicator rather than cast-iron certainty, the accomplishment of a notable landmark to hearten the Fratton faithful.
Nobody is suggesting promotion to the Championship is achieved at Christmas, yet it offers a tantalising portent to the future.
After all, sides bottom at Christmas in any division are traditionally condemned to relegation, albeit in slightly more predictable circumstances.
So here Pompey are, top of League One for the festive period. Still with another 27 league fixtures to fulfil, not even close to halfway, but residing at the summit nonetheless.
It’s a lofty standing they last occupied just two years ago, which despite such a position of strength didn’t actually turn out that well.
For Blues followers, such omens are unlikely to be embraced enthusiastically second time round. You don’t even require long memories, it was that recent.
However, on this occasion, Kenny Jackett’s side feels different. It possesses more swagger and less functionality, which is heartening in itself.
Granted, some servants from the 2018-19 campaign remain, yet their footballing product is unrecognisable, though no less effective.
Today, the Blues are League One’s joint-top scorers, armed with the secondbest defensive record, and, perhaps inevitably, the highest goal difference by a considerable margin.
And it’s that goal difference which edges them ahead of Lincoln for top spot at present, the sides sharing 35 points.
With a coronavirus outbreak in the camp ruling Pompey out of action for the next two matches, they will be overtaken during such inactivity.
Still, in the present, their position offers a beacon of hope. Certainly enough to get normally phlegmatic skipper and very occasional Tweeter, Tom Naylor, excited.
Having risen from 21st at the end of September, the Blues and their manager deserve immense credit, even if Christmas represents nothing more than a pause for breath during the long trek.
In Naylor’s case, he can draw reasoned comparisons, being a survivor from two years ago, along with Craig MacGillivray, Lee Brown, Jack Whatmough, Ronan Curtis and Ben Close.
For a reminder, in Christmas 2018 Pompey were four points clear of second-placed Luton, with an impressive return of 51 points from 23 games.
That consisted of 15 victories and just two defeats, a mighty haul which ultimately would earn just fourth place and a play-off semi-final defeat to Sunderland amid meek surrender.
Incidentally, Jackett’s men would win 10 and lose six of their final 23 league matches that term, amassing a further 37 points.
Luton went up as champions – six points clear of Pompey – with a Barnsley side sixth at Christmas claiming the runners-up spot. It was a Fratton Park implosion influenced by Ben Thompson’s return to Millwall, Whatmough’s serious injury, Oli Hawkins’ short-term absence, ineffective January loan signings and the toil of a club-record 62 fixtures.
Enough of the painful reflection, though. As previously mentioned, this current team possesses a distinctly different feel.
The previous incarnation had a penchant for effectiveness, grinding out victories with admirable efficiency, yet lacking pulseracing credentials.
It was the hallmark of a good side, we believed, winning ugly when not performing particularly fluent. Well-drilled, dripping in practicality.
Pompey topped League One until the end of January 2019, deposed while on FA Cup fourth-round duty against QPR.
Once inhibiting factors intruded, they failed to occupy the top two during the remaining three-and-ahalf months of the season.
Roll on two years and Jackett’s side has naturally evolved, as has the playing style.
No longer reliant on the early ball to a centre-forward surrounded by wingers to feed off his scraps, certainly this is a Pompey team increasingly pleasing on the eye – and more potent in front of goal.
By Christmas 2018, the Blues had won six league matches by more than a one-goal winning margin. In total, they reached 11 for the campaign.
Currently it stands at nine – having played four fewer League One fixtures at the same stage.
Along the way, they have dispatched four past Burton, Northampton and Crewe, while rattling up 31 goals in their last 16 league games.
John Marquis, left, the 11-goal leading scorer, has failed to net in his last six league games. Regardless, the team has continued to find the back of the net.
As for defensively, it is now 476 match minutes since the Blues last conceded in all competitions, consisting of
four consecutive League One clean sheets.
Bearing in mind that tally includes encounters with promotion rivals Peterborough, Ipswich, Fleetwood and Hull, the feat is rendered even more admirable. No free hits among that little lot.
Admittedly, Jackett’s latest playing system is difficult to define, such is the versatility of Ryan Williams and Marcus Harness.
Harness has, on occasions, started alongside John Marquis in attack in a 4-4-2, although has been known to switch back to the wing during the match.
While in recent weeks, Williams has operated down the middle more as a conventional 10 in a 4-2-3-1 system, with Harness out wide right.
Jackett has previously voiced belief that such a formation suits Ronan Curtis more, whereas a conventional 4-4-2 brings the best out of Michael Jacobs, who has now returned from his injury lay-off.
The fulcrum to the side is Andy Cannon, positioned in a midfield two, yet these days handed instructions to maraud and utilise natural ebullience and a desire to drive forward with the ball.
The 24-year-old has a playing style unmatched within Jackett’s squad, nobody else can replicate his energy and work-rate. Crucially, he now possesses his manager’s trust to fulfil
How many minutes since Pompey last conceded a goal in all competitions. 90 minutes.
For so long condemned to serve as a bit-part player, Cannon has established himself as a pivotal presence, putting the Blues on the front foot in matches rather than sitting deep and relying on rapid counter.
This is very much a proactive Pompey side – a marked difference to the reactive one often witnessed during Jackett’s reign.
We await to see what the season holds. After all, in the last 27 years, seven clubs have entered the New Year as leaders, but failed to finish in the top three.
Pompey, of course, were one of those in 2018-19 – as were Wycombe last term, albeit a campaign curtailed early through coronavirus.
It’s Christmas and, with 41.30 per cent of the season gone, Jackett’s men sit at League One’s summit.
That can only be a heartening sight. Can’t it?