Kal Naismith was certainly rewarded for his patience against Plymouth.
Last season’s top scorer did have to bide his time, but has finally been given an extended run in the team.
The Scotsman was asked to play as a striker at Fratton Park, with Conor Chaplin used in a deeper role behind him.
And Naismith responded with the winning goal against Argyle, albeit thanks to an almighty howler from keeper Remi Matthews.
He said: “It’s brilliant to be starting games again and playing a much bigger role in the team.
“We’ve had some good results lately – with four wins from the past five – and the lads are performing well.
"I don’t get as much of the ball playing up top, so I have to restrict myself a bit and make sure I stay in the box."
“We were without some key players again, with Brett Pitman and Christian Burgess both missing, but the guys who came in were brilliant.
“I don’t get as much of the ball playing up top, so I have to restrict myself a bit and make sure I stay in the box.
“But we’ve lads in this team who will create chances for you and we were unlucky not to score a few more.
“I’ve got one and the team’s won, so it’s happy days. I saw the keeper rush out and that he was out of his box, so I got a bit of luck and it just fell for me.
“The contact wasn’t great and I just flicked out my left foot. I was panicking for a second before I saw it was going in.”
Naismith limped off following a collision with Matthews in the second half, but does not think it is anything too serious.
He said: “My knee’s sore and a bit swollen, but our surgeon had a look at it and thinks it will be okay.
“Fingers crossed that it’s just an impact injury after I hit the goalkeeper, so hopefully the swelling will die down by Monday.
“I’m more annoyed by the fact that I didn’t take a better touch and the ball went on to hit the post instead of going in.”