Pompey have signalled a statement of intent by securing the arrival of Paul Cook as the club's new manager.
Cook, 48, joins from Chesterfield after a stellar period as the Spireites' boss, having won the League Two title in 2014 and finished as semi-finalists in the League One play-offs this season.
And his announcement as the Blues' new leader has sparked optimism from fans after two turgid attempts to escape the bottom step of the Football League ladder.
Cook's previous sides have been lauded for their attractive, attacking football and now previous management experience at Southport, Sligo Rovers, Accrington Stanley and Chesterfield lands him at Pompey's front door.
It's an impressive capture for the board, who have dug deep to bring their man to Fratton Park - no doubt wearing the scars of two failed 'legend' appointments, as well as the lacklustre tenure of Richie Barker, in just two years.
Compensation agreed with Cook's former club freed him to move south for the next three years (at least) as he now looks to begin the back-room reshuffle and mould Pompey into a club befitting of his style.
That's going to be a big task, though.
Eleven first-team players face contract expiration on Saturday, while the future of Jed Wallace remains up in the air with ongoing talk of his departure after he seemingly waved goodbye to his supporters at the season's end.
On the day which Alan Ball would have turned 70, it seemed fitting that the club would appoint a no-nonsense manager... and that should act as a big attraction for any players looking to stay - or join - Pompey this summer.
A host of Chesterfield players have been linked with following their former boss to Hampshire, with Gary Roberts' name on fans' lips on the same day which the midfielder praised Cook's managerial talents.
But it's the current crop of Portsmouth players who should be looking to improve if they're to remain at Fratton Park, with back-to-back seasons of lacklustre, dull and uninviting football acting as little support to their campaigns to stay.
However, with a new manager always comes a fresh pair of eyes and Ryan Taylor, Wes Fogden, Joe Devera, Ben Close, Bradley Tarbuck, Dan Butler and Adam Webster hope to remain at the club.
Tom Craddock, Ben Chorley, Nicky Shorey and Danny East are also out of contract come the weekend, but per Neil Allen's article on Portsmouth.co.uk on May 6, the quartet are likely to leave.
CEO Mark Catlin has confirmed that Cook has already run his eye over the club's current playing staff and will not waste time in relieving unwanted professionals of their place at the club.
Refreshing to see from the incoming boss, who has pointed out that there are plenty of changes needed on his entrance to the club; working proactively to change Pompey from League Two struggles to title challengers.
Personally, I'd keep Taylor, Fogden and Webster (the latter for his late, late impressive showing in the centre of defence), while offering one-year deals for Fogden, Butler, Close and Tarbuck to prove they have the mettle occupy a first-team place under the new boss.
Dropping down a division can sometimes be seen as a backward step for players but, as shown by Cook, the chance to join "a massive club" was an opportunity too good to turn down.
Either way, I firmly believe the mantra for next season should be to play for the club, play for the crest and play for the fans. Or play for someone else. It'll certainly be an interesting summer.
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