Picture perfect Pompey are looking in good shape

The 37-year-old made well over 500 appearances as a lower league defender and has led Pompey to the top of League One in his first full season as a manager.

In difficult conditions, with swirling wind and rain throughout, the league leaders held Derby County to a 2-2 draw in front of a full house at Fratton Park.

It is surely only a matter of time before Portsmouth are back in the Championship. And who knows what their ceiling is now that the club is on a firm footing again?

Before the match I caught up with two Pompey legends who played their part in some great times at the club. Goalkeeper Alan Knight and striker Guy Whittingham showed me the new mural which adorns a large wall by the club shop and ticket office.

The street art mural was organised by the Pompey Supporters’ Trust, who saved the club in its darkest hour, as part of the 125th anniversary season celebrations.

With the aid of a grant from the Arts Council, the work was completed by MurWalls who have previously made street art murals for Liverpool and Manchester City.

Alongside Knight and Whittingham, four other legends are portrayed on the wall. Kanu, Linvoy, Primus, Paul Merson and Robert Prosinečki make up the six players chosen by Portsmouth fans to feature in the artwork.

The six icons topped a poll of 2,418 fans as part of the Pompey Supporters’ Trust’s recent survey.

“The supporters have chosen some superb Pompey icons here,” Pompey Supporters’ Trust chair Donald Vass said.

“What a six-a-side team this would make. Between them, they’ve delivered cup wins, achieved promotions, scored iconic goals and broken records while playing for Pompey.

“Some have dedicated their life to the club, others dazzled for one special season, but each of them have given Pompey fans incredible memories, which we hope this street art mural will rekindle.”

Knight is the club’s second longest-serving player behind Jimmy Dickinson, having played more than 800 times in goal for Pompey in all competitions between 1978 and 2000.

Whittingham memorably scored 42 league goals in a prolific 1992/93 season before heading off to Aston Villa and later a loan spell at Wolves.

“To be one of just six to be chosen for this in the club’s 125-year history is a real honour,” said the former striker. “I’m sure all the others on the wall feel the same. It brings back memories of some great times with the club.”

Prosinečki was a mercurial genius who arrived at Fratton Park for an improbable season in the English second tier after appearing for both Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Primus’ infectious smile and kind-hearted nature earned him the tag of “the nicest man in football” during his stay on the South Coast, but fans will also fondly remember his aggressive tackling and unbreakable spirit across nine seasons with the club.

Merson, aside from being my long-suffering colleague on Soccer Saturday for many years, was the talismanic captain of Pompey’s 2002/03 season, which saw the club promoted to the Premier League.

And in 2008, Kanu delivered Pompey’s first major trophy in more than 50 years by scoring the winning goal against Cardiff in the FA Cup final.

On the evidence of Tuesday night there are more good times ahead. Portsmouth have been the most consistent side in League One this season.

Colby Bishop’s 18 league goals have obviously attracted plenty of attention but there have been many other eye-catching performances.

Not least from Norwich City loanee Abu Kamara. The young winger is a quiet and reserved character off the pitch but on it he is one of the most explosive talents in the division and is surely destined for the top.

Today they host Shrewsbury Town needing a maximum of seven more points from their remaining five games to seal promotion.