Pompey's evolution has been a steady, albeit win-dominated, process.
And Kenny Jackett is convinced his side is edging ever nearer towards performance expectations.
The Blues opened the campaign with a highly-fortunate home victory over a Luton side left scratching their head over the outcome.
With the season now six league games old, Jackett's men sit second in League One with five victories and one draw.
Tomorrow they entertain a Shrewsbury side languishing second from bottom and without a league win to their name.
And Jackett is encouraged by the continued progress of his ever-improving side.
The boss said: 'I felt in the early games we got the defending right, it was very, very good.
'We battled well and physically competed.
'But we really needed more than that to be a good team – and slowly we've added some constructive passing as well, which has been good.
'There are certain days like Doncaster where in the second half we created some good chances, but I wouldn't say it was a flowing performance.
'Having said that, we did create the best chances in the game.
'Overall, we have built up quite well. I wanted to improve from that first game against Luton and changed the formation.
'We were 4-4-2 and haven't played that system since, showing steady improvement.
'As the manager, I want the bar to be high and not just keep matching it.
In line with Pompey's positive results, expectation levels have also risen.
Certainly the Blues are perceived as favourites for victory tomorrow against the struggling Shrews.
Jackett added: 'We have to keep up our own standards, whoever the opposition are, whether Shrewsbury at home or Peterborough away.
'Shrewsbury have made a lot of changes, they definitely have a capable squad and we have to make sure our standards are very, very high.
'If we do that we'll be a match for anybody – and if our standards slip we can also lose to everybody.
'An accurate assessment of the opposition is always needed, their strengths and weaknesses and how to play them.